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10 June, 2001Tens of thousands of Korean workers are protesting against the government's economic reforms.
KOREA, Rep: Some 48,000 workers at 120 factories in the chemical, steel and other industries went on strike on June 12, according to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' (KCTU). The strike has been expected to involve 200 unions, including those of the two national air carriers and 18 major hospitals. A KCTU official says that the unions of 14 hospitals will strike on June 13 and four others will join the following day.
President Kim Dae-jung is reported to have urged his ministers to increase their efforts to end growing labour unrest in the country. The government has appealed to unions to call off the strike, fearing that it will deter foreign investors at a time when the economy is showing signs of recovery. Members of the government have said that they would protect legal and peaceful gatherings but would crack down harshly against illegal and violent demonstrations.
The KCTU issued a statement saying that if the government used riot police to deal with labour-management relations there would be full-scale confrontations and called on the government not to intervene.
The trades unions are protesting against the government's economic reforms, which have led to company restructuring and widespread redundancies.
President Kim Dae-jung is reported to have urged his ministers to increase their efforts to end growing labour unrest in the country. The government has appealed to unions to call off the strike, fearing that it will deter foreign investors at a time when the economy is showing signs of recovery. Members of the government have said that they would protect legal and peaceful gatherings but would crack down harshly against illegal and violent demonstrations.
The KCTU issued a statement saying that if the government used riot police to deal with labour-management relations there would be full-scale confrontations and called on the government not to intervene.
The trades unions are protesting against the government's economic reforms, which have led to company restructuring and widespread redundancies.