[asia-apec 292] Re: Korean workers struggle

[Mark Ritchie]

How about and international boycott of Korean made goods until these are
repealed.



At 08:16 PM 1/7/97 +0800, you wrote:
>
>>From: AMRC <amrc at hk.super.net>
>>Subject: Korean workers struggle
>>
>>Hpong Kong
>>
>>Solidarity Statement in Support of the Struggle of Korean Workers
>>
>>In a secret sitting of the National Assembly on December 26, the Government
>of Kim Young-sam, passed amendments to the Trade Union Act, Labour Standards
>Act, Labour Dispute Adjustment Act, the Education Act and the Special Act
>for the Promotion of Teachers, and the National Security Planning Agency
>Act. This took place in the absence of any opposition party members of the
>National Assembly and was done against the popular will of the Korean people.
>>
>>The amendments to six labour-related laws constitute an attack on the
>fundamental rights of Korean workers. These changes include:
>>
>>* Greater powers for employers to freely dismiss workers
>>* Greater powers for employers to force workers to undertake unpaid overtime
>>* The unlimited right of employers to replace striking workers 
>>* Prohibition of payment of wages for the period of industrial disputes
>>* The denial of the right to continued union membership of dismissed workers
>>* A continued ban on trade union pluralism
>>* Banning wage payments to union officers
>>* Banning the political activities of trade unions
>>* New restrictions on the right to collective action and collective
bargaining
>>* Continued bans on teachers' right to organise and bans on industrial
>action by bank workers,     telecommunications workers, hospitals and other
>public services
>>* The legalisation of illegal "manpower agencies" which further repress
>workers' rights
>>
>>Under these 'reforms' workers' rights to organise and bargain collectively
>is being further restricted, and the right to strike and freedom of
>association is being denied. The result is the destruction of the rights and
>job security of all workers, and the criminalisation of the activities of
>trade unions and all forms of collective action.
>>
>>In a further attack on democracy and the human rights of the Korean people,
>the National Security Planning Agency Act was revised to give the Agency
>greater powers. The Agency now has greater powers of investigation, arrest
>and questioning thereby violating the fundamental rights of all Korean
>citizens and destroying their right to privacy and personal freedom. The
>Agency also has greater powers of surveillance of political and social
>movement organisations.
>>The National Security Planning Agency (NSPA) was created to repress the
>pro-democratic forces during the era of military dictatorship. Now we see
>its revival to once again attack people's movements.
>>
>>We are protesting against the Korean Government to demand:
>>
>>1. The repeal of the anti-worker labour laws and the National Security
>Planning Agency Act.
>>2. An apology from the President, Kim Young-sam to the Korean people and
>the resignations of the cabinet of Prime Minister Lee Soo-sung and New Korea
>Party Chairman Lee Hong-koo.
>>3. The repeal of the summons issued against trade union leaders and an end
>to threats of arrest.
>>4. That those arrested during the demonstrations be released without being
>charged.
>>5. Full legal recognition of KCTU and the right to union pluralism and
>freedom of association.
>>6. The revision of the National Security Planning Agency Act to limit its
>power and protect the rights and freedom
>> of the Korean people.
>>
>
>
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Mark Ritchie, President
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