International Labor Organization (ILO), Geneva, Switzerland. ‘OIT’ in the logo on the right is the French abbreviation for the International Labor Organization. Kyunghyang Shinmun data photo
On the 4th, the 11th day of the cargo union general strike, President Yoon Seok-yeol said, “The cargo union is holding the entire economy hostage. It is a serious threat to the rule of law,” he said. “Relevant ministers mobilize all administrative power to pursue it to the end and take swift and strict measures.” It also announced the issuance of business start orders for the oil refining and steel industries beyond the existing cement industry. Despite the International Labor Organization (ILO)’s “emergency intervention” in response to the government’s alleged violation of basic labor rights in connection with the strike, it continued its hardline drive. You can’t be concerned about the extra-legal act that ignores the ilo basic agreement that the government has ratified.
President Yoon held a countermeasures meeting with related ministers that day and completely blocked the possibility of dialogue, saying, “I will not compromise in any case with forces that practice illegality and violence.” Later, at a joint government briefing, it was announced that all drivers who did not return to transportation duties as well as those who abetted or instigated violations of the business start order would be dealt with by law. The demand of the cargo union is to maintain a safe fare system that guarantees a minimum transportation fee for road safety. This is not only for the safety of truck drivers, but also for the safety of other drivers and citizens using the road. Even so, the government is waving the ‘abolition’ card and pressuring it with a series of hardline measures. The ruling party in power is also full of political calculations. Joo Ho-young, the representative of People’s Power, said, “I don’t think it is appropriate to make such (mediation) efforts” regarding the intention to mediate. Saying that they are concerned about damage to the national economy due to logistics disruptions and will not mediate, it is nothing short of dereliction of duty. At a time when the president’s approval rating is at a standstill, it can only be seen as an intention to mobilize hardline conservatives and use them as a driving force in state affairs.
The government’s stance is even more serious in that it was announced at a time when the ILO started an ’emergency intervention’. The ILO recently sent a letter under the name of the secretary-general to the Korean government in relation to the order to start operations for the cargo union, stating that it “intervened immediately and conveyed the ILO’s position.” Korea is a ratifying country of the ILO Basic Conventions, and since last April, the conventions have had the same effect as domestic laws. Over the past 10 years, the ILO has been recommending to the Korean government to protect the basic labor rights of the cargo unions, such as ‘freedom of association’. This letter is de facto diplomatic pressure to abide by the agreement. However, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho dismissed the letter as “a simple opinion inquiry.” It is said that it will close its ears to the criticism of the international community.
Countries that violate ILO conventions may face disadvantages such as trade disputes and sanctions under various free trade agreements (FTAs). The ‘anti-labor’ government, which intends to beat the cargo union, is accumulating bad news of ‘anti-business’ shaking the national economy. The government should stop taking hardline measures and engage in dialogue with the Korea Cargo Workers’ Union. You shouldn’t commit the mistake of Gyo-Gak-Sal-U.