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16 February, 2000In a demonstration of international solidarity with their Australian colleagues, Korean trade unions are marching in Seoul.
KOREA, REP: Some 100 Korean workers staged a demonstration today, February 17, near the Australian Embassy, in Seoul, to show their solidarity with BHP workers in Western Australia who are being denied collective representation at the company's Pilbara iron ore operations. Included in the protest group were representatives of the Sammi Specialty Steel Workers, the Korean Metal Workers' Federation, the Korea Federation of Construction Trade Unions, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, as well as human rights organisations.
The Korean workers are not only protesting against BHP's anti-union attitude and its introduction of individual contracts for its employees in the iron ore sector, but also against the Australian government's failure to support and promote freedom of association and collective bargaining for its citizens. ILO conventions which cover these key trade union principles have been ratified by the Australian government.
After several months of dispute with the mining and metals multinational, the IMF's Australian affiliates won an interim Federal Court injunction on January 31, 2000, restraining BHP from approaching its iron ore workers to sign individual contracts. The company has, however, indicated it would challenge the Court's decision.
Korean trade unions are also running a postcard campaign in support of the Sammi Specialty Steel Workers, who are fighting for reinstatement against POSCO (Pohang Steel Company), Korea's largest steel company, which bought Sammi Specialty Steel, dismissed Sammi's most active union members, and got rid of the union.
The Korean workers are not only protesting against BHP's anti-union attitude and its introduction of individual contracts for its employees in the iron ore sector, but also against the Australian government's failure to support and promote freedom of association and collective bargaining for its citizens. ILO conventions which cover these key trade union principles have been ratified by the Australian government.
After several months of dispute with the mining and metals multinational, the IMF's Australian affiliates won an interim Federal Court injunction on January 31, 2000, restraining BHP from approaching its iron ore workers to sign individual contracts. The company has, however, indicated it would challenge the Court's decision.
Korean trade unions are also running a postcard campaign in support of the Sammi Specialty Steel Workers, who are fighting for reinstatement against POSCO (Pohang Steel Company), Korea's largest steel company, which bought Sammi Specialty Steel, dismissed Sammi's most active union members, and got rid of the union.