PICIS Newsletter 9.3.98

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PICIS
Policy and Information Center for International Solidarity

Newsletter - Number 8

Monday, 9 March 1998

Edited by Anna

Editor's notice

PICIS was established for joining in the international solidarity movement against neoliberalistic attacks by the transnational capital worldwide, as well as for launching practical international solidarity movement among South Korean progressive forces. We aim at not only sharing policies and information with foreign progressive organisations but also making practical supporting movement with workers' and peoples' struggles, who are suppressed and exploited. This newsletter contains Korean progressive forces' activities, and through this newsletter we want to contact and make solidarity with foreign activists and make practical activity with all of you.

Website : http://kpd.sing-kr.org/~picis
E-mail : hanboss@nownuri.net, hanboss@mail.nownuri.net
Address : PICIS, 1578-3, Woosung Bdg. 5F, Shilim1Dong, Kwanak-Ku, Seoul, Korea
Mailinglist : list@mail.sing-kr.org (To join, send a message to this address, with the word 'subscribe picis' as the only text in the message)

1. KCTU's second regular representative meeting held.

On Mar 3, KCTU held second regular representative meeting with 234 out of 328 representatives. As for the 'assessment on the emergency committee', critical opinion on the withdrawal of strike and opinion which defend unavoidability of the retraction had a stormy discussion.

"We apologize that we didn't execute the general strike which had been decided by representative meeting and can't organize any protest while unjust dismissals are prevailing, and we are ready to suffer any critic or responsibility", said Dan Byong-ho, president of KCTU's emergency committee.

Ex-officials who had resigned for three party agreement, including Pae Suk-bom, had time for announcing their positions with an agreement of the representatives. "I have nothing to say", Pae Suk-bom said, "I understand the rage of rank-and-file unionists, and let's strengthen the KCTU which was constructed with sacrifice and sweat of workers." But some representatives demanded clear answer for the tripartite agreement to the ex-leadership, so the meeting was suspended and continued again and again.

This reveals a crisis within the KCTU, which is the result of a series of processes, announcement of tripartite agreement on Feb 6, rejection to the agreement and decision of general strike on Feb 9, and the cancellation of the strike on Feb 12.

2. Workers continue suiciding by fire.

On Mar 4, Oh Kil-won, union member of Hwachon Machinery in Changwon Industrial Area, set himself afire and died in front of the factory's incinerator. The colleagues said, "he was a diligent worker who have never rejected extra work." The reason of his suicide and his note giving the cause of his suicide have not been revealed yet. According to the union, however, he had been moved forcedly from assembling post to painting post, and he was annoyed saying, "The personnel changes mean my resignation." So we can suppose that he couldn't endure the sudden change and fear of layoff.

The union organized emergency committee right after his suicide and is discussing future plans. And also, it set up fact finding mission and is researching the cause of his suicide, demanding 'acceptance of responsibility of his suicide, guarantee on job security, and full compensation for his bereaved family.' Meanwhile, the committee visited Changwon local labor office and protested against insufficient surveillance on illegal labor practices, demanding thorough investigation and administrative management.

Meanwhile, the company has reduced work for reason of reduction of the materials since December last year, and the union has cooperated with the company for the resolving of the current business crisis. For example, the union returned 200% bonuses and annual/monthly allowances on Feb 2. But the management have collected salesperson unilaterally and disseminated job insecurity. Moreover, the company has enacted 'voluntary resignation system' since Feb 9 and dismissed 19 employees, including 5 union members, and the unionists have been forced post changes individually by the company.

3. Second Factory of Samsung Heavy Industries in Changwon reopened operation on March 5.

The emergency committee of the Second Factory, which had gone on strike demanding job security, announced that as the negotiation with the management was lengthened they would reopen operation from Mar 5. The union and the company have held five negotiations until Mar 4 after the strike but only in vain, and the union announced future plan. "We are reopening operation for the moment and will continue to negotiate with cooling-off period."

Notice

1. PICIS has a Korean journal which covers foreign movements. If you have struggles you want to inform us or need solidarity action, send them to us.

2. If you have comments or suggestion, contact us. We will translate and publicize them in Korea for the Korean workers.