At 2 pm on the 1st, Labor Day, around 15,000 union members affiliated with the KCTU in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, held the ‘2022 World Labor Day Games’ in the area around Hwaseong Haenggung, which is Labor Day. This is the first large gathering since the COVID-19 outbreak.
Prior to the main assembly, pre-contests were held in various parts of Suwon city center. In the Gyeonggi region, unions affiliated with the KCTU, such as the construction union, public transport union, school irregular workers union, and nursing service union, raised their voices, insisting on ‘solving pending labor problems’ occurring at each workplace in Suwon and the Gyeonggi region. .
At the rally that day, Choi Jeong-myeong, head of the Gyeonggi Headquarters of the KCTU, expressed emotion, saying, “Workers have experienced many difficulties and difficulties as they struggled with the struggle once morest oppression and exploitation, but each time they came together through camaraderie, unity and solidarity.” did.
Director Choi said, “If President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol oppresses the KCTU with pro-capitalist and anti-labour policies, he will fight once morest it and prevent the runaway of capital. For the realization of progressive politics, the KCTU will fight to the end,” he declared.
Byun Moon-soo, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Area Southern Headquarters of the Construction Workers’ Union, said, “Since the Serious Disaster Punishment Act came into force, interest in safety in workplaces has increased in our society, but the number of deaths continues to occur even now.” They are relentlessly carrying out anti-labor and pro-capital actions that neutralize the Act on the Punishment of Serious Disasters.”
“The labor unions should unite to prevent the neutralization of the Severe Disaster Punishment Act, and furthermore, win the Special Construction Safety Act pending in the National Assembly to create an environment in which construction workers do not die while working,” he said.
Kyung-in Lee, president of the National Health Insurance Customer Center branch of the Public Transport Workers’ Union, Lee Kyung-wha, lamented the current situation, saying, “President Moon Jae-in promised to make non-regular workers full-time in public institutions in 2017, but they have yet to start negotiations.”
Chairman Lee said, “It is difficult even under the Moon Jae-in government, but President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol’s policy on non-regular workers is even more absent. I do,” he raised his voice.
Gil Min-jeong, secretary general of the Gyeonggi branch of the National Nursing Service Labor Union of the Service Federation, announced the case in Suwon, saying, “The Suwon Central Nursing Home in Suwon has notified many workers, the elderly and their families that the nursing home is closing.”
Secretary-General Gil said, “They say they will reopen following remodeling following closing, but this is an obvious disguised closure to kick out workers from their workplace. I am suffering,” he complained.
The Gyeonggi Headquarters of the KCTU declared, “We will fight for a world where everyone can work safely through quality jobs and guaranteed labor rights without discrimination beyond the era of inequality and polarization.” Through this, we will produce candidates for the nationwide local elections on June 1 and lead the victory of progressive politics that will prevent the runaway of anti-labor and pro-capitalism.”
After the rally, the workers marched from Haenggung three-way intersection to Paldalmun Rotary – Gyodong Intersection – Provincial Government Station – Suwon Station Square (2.6km).
[ 경기신문 = 임석규 기자 ]