S. Korean Authorities′ Anti-Worker Policy Flayed
Pyongyang, July 5 (KCNA) -- The south Korean Teachers Union in a commentary on July 1 denounced the authorities' anti-worker policy.
The commentary recalled that the Minimum Wage Committee on June 29 set forth a negotiating proposal for deciding the minimum wage for 2012 at the tacit agreement with the management side.
Even this proposal calls for infringing upon the elementary right to existence of the workers suffering destitution and pain due to low wage, it deplored, and continued:
The said committee, in the final analysis, has whiled away time not to help workers get higher pay but just to read the face of the management side.
Noting that the demands of the workers have not been reflected at all in the minimum wage level since the present regime appeared, the commentary said the committee and the management side can never shirk off the blame for having made a mockery of the workers.
It urged the committee to retract the above-said proposal at once and raise their wages. -0-
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Friday, 1 July 2011
SO MUCH FOR FREE SPEECH IN SOUTH KOREA
The Chongju District Court of south Korea on June 28 sentenced a citizen who posted an article praising the DPRK on Internet to eight months in prison on charges of the violation of the "National Security Law", according to Yonhap News.
The citizen posted articles praising and lauding the stand of the DPRK on the "Cheonan" warship case on Internet from July 2009 to March this year. The court branded it as an "enemy-benefiting act."
The citizen posted articles praising and lauding the stand of the DPRK on the "Cheonan" warship case on Internet from July 2009 to March this year. The court branded it as an "enemy-benefiting act."
Monday, 6 June 2011
South Korea repression
Police disperse striking Yoosung workers
Week-long strike disrupts production of major automakers
Thousands of riot police raided a regional auto parts manufacturing plant, Tuesday, to put an end to a week-long “illegal” strike that disrupted the production of Hyundai Motor and other major automakers.
More than 2,500 police entered the factory of Yoosung Enterprise in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, at 4:00 p.m., where hundreds of unionized workers have been holed up over the past week, according to South Chungcheong Provincial Police Agency.
Police met little resistance from the workers while dispersing them. About 500 unionists were apprehended.
“We had to use force to disperse the striking workers and hand control of the facility back to the management. The raid was unavoidable as last-minute talks between management and the employees on strike fell apart,” a police officer said.
Police will decide whether to detain the workers or not after looking into their involvement in the walkout.
Police obtained arrest warrants for two union leaders and a search warrant for union offices from the Daejeon District Court.
He said 31 companies of riot police and three police vehicles equipped with water cannons were deployed to the scene.
Police helicopters hovered above the site to monitor the movements of the striking workers.
More than 500 unionized workers began occupying the factory on May 18 after they failed to reach common ground with their management on working conditions and salaries. Following the walkout, the management of Yoosung Enterprise, which specializes in piston rings, cylinder liners and other key components of car engines, imposed a lockout on the plant.
On Monday, the company’s management and labor held unsuccessful talks to resolve the confrontation.
The Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), affiliated with Yoosung labor union, released a statement condemning the police raid.
“Law enforcement authorities refused to follow law and order by sending riot police into the plant. This is tantamount to a barbaric act. We will fight along with unionized workers of Yoosung Enterprise to the end until we achieve our goals,” the KCTU said.
It said it will launch a nationwide campaign to force President Lee Myung-bak to step down.
Despite the strike coming to an end on Tuesday, it will likely take some time for the plant to resume operations, meaning that automakers will have to grapple with output disruption for the time being.
According to the auto industry, the ongoing strike has forced automakers to suspend production of several vehicles due to a shortage of engine components.
Yoosung supplies key engine components to all five automakers operating here. In particular, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, the nation’s two largest automakers, depend heavily on its supply as they receive 70 percent of engine-related components from the firm.
Hyundai and Kia said if the walkout lasts through the end of May, they will be forced to cut output by as much as 50,000 cars. The other three carmakers — GM Korea, Renault Samsung and Ssangyong Motor — will see their production drop by a combined 10,000.
Hyundai has already been forced to shut down its assembly line for the Tucson ix sports utility vehicle, while Kia had to halt production of its Carnival passenger minivan.
According to the Korea Employers Federation, the labor strike has already cost automakers over 150 billion won in lost output as of Tuesday. From May 26, they will likely incur over 100 billion won in losses on a daily basis
Link to photos
Week-long strike disrupts production of major automakers
Thousands of riot police raided a regional auto parts manufacturing plant, Tuesday, to put an end to a week-long “illegal” strike that disrupted the production of Hyundai Motor and other major automakers.
More than 2,500 police entered the factory of Yoosung Enterprise in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, at 4:00 p.m., where hundreds of unionized workers have been holed up over the past week, according to South Chungcheong Provincial Police Agency.
Police met little resistance from the workers while dispersing them. About 500 unionists were apprehended.
“We had to use force to disperse the striking workers and hand control of the facility back to the management. The raid was unavoidable as last-minute talks between management and the employees on strike fell apart,” a police officer said.
Police will decide whether to detain the workers or not after looking into their involvement in the walkout.
Police obtained arrest warrants for two union leaders and a search warrant for union offices from the Daejeon District Court.
He said 31 companies of riot police and three police vehicles equipped with water cannons were deployed to the scene.
Police helicopters hovered above the site to monitor the movements of the striking workers.
More than 500 unionized workers began occupying the factory on May 18 after they failed to reach common ground with their management on working conditions and salaries. Following the walkout, the management of Yoosung Enterprise, which specializes in piston rings, cylinder liners and other key components of car engines, imposed a lockout on the plant.
On Monday, the company’s management and labor held unsuccessful talks to resolve the confrontation.
The Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), affiliated with Yoosung labor union, released a statement condemning the police raid.
“Law enforcement authorities refused to follow law and order by sending riot police into the plant. This is tantamount to a barbaric act. We will fight along with unionized workers of Yoosung Enterprise to the end until we achieve our goals,” the KCTU said.
It said it will launch a nationwide campaign to force President Lee Myung-bak to step down.
Despite the strike coming to an end on Tuesday, it will likely take some time for the plant to resume operations, meaning that automakers will have to grapple with output disruption for the time being.
According to the auto industry, the ongoing strike has forced automakers to suspend production of several vehicles due to a shortage of engine components.
Yoosung supplies key engine components to all five automakers operating here. In particular, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors, the nation’s two largest automakers, depend heavily on its supply as they receive 70 percent of engine-related components from the firm.
Hyundai and Kia said if the walkout lasts through the end of May, they will be forced to cut output by as much as 50,000 cars. The other three carmakers — GM Korea, Renault Samsung and Ssangyong Motor — will see their production drop by a combined 10,000.
Hyundai has already been forced to shut down its assembly line for the Tucson ix sports utility vehicle, while Kia had to halt production of its Carnival passenger minivan.
According to the Korea Employers Federation, the labor strike has already cost automakers over 150 billion won in lost output as of Tuesday. From May 26, they will likely incur over 100 billion won in losses on a daily basis
Link to photos
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
South Korean repressions
The South Headquarters of the Pan-national Alliance for Korea's Reunification in a commentary on May 24 denounced the Lee Myung Bak dictatorial regime for its violent crackdown on workers.
That day the authorities set in motion 2 500 policemen to arrest at least 500 workers of an enterprise who were staging a sit-in in protest against the unreasonable closure of workshop by the management side, the commentary noted.
The authorities' suppression is aimed to stamp out the rights of the workers and obliterate the labor movement, it said, warning that the "government's" repression will invite bigger resistance of the workers.
KCNA
That day the authorities set in motion 2 500 policemen to arrest at least 500 workers of an enterprise who were staging a sit-in in protest against the unreasonable closure of workshop by the management side, the commentary noted.
The authorities' suppression is aimed to stamp out the rights of the workers and obliterate the labor movement, it said, warning that the "government's" repression will invite bigger resistance of the workers.
KCNA
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Gag on Freedom of Speech in South Korea
The puppet Seoul Central District Court of south Korea sentenced Jo Jung Won, representative of the Internet media agency, to two-year prison term on the charge of violation of the "National Security Law".
The court charged him, who posted on Internet website articles and animations praising the Juche idea, the Songun politics of the DPRK, with "crime of spreading enemy-benefiting files".
Protesting against this ruling, Jo Jung Won expressed wrath at the absurd action of gagging on pressman's freedom of thought and expression by invoking the NSL which has had no justification to exist any longer.
The court charged him, who posted on Internet website articles and animations praising the Juche idea, the Songun politics of the DPRK, with "crime of spreading enemy-benefiting files".
Protesting against this ruling, Jo Jung Won expressed wrath at the absurd action of gagging on pressman's freedom of thought and expression by invoking the NSL which has had no justification to exist any longer.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
International Solidarity against Yura Corporation
SERBIAN WORKERS HOLD A RALLY OF SOLIDARITY WITH OUR RUSSIAN COLLEAGUES
20.03.2011 10:11
On March 15, factory workers at "Yura Corporation in Racha (Serbia) and Sloga union activists, held a protest in front of the Embassy of South Korea in Belgrade. They demanded the reinstatement of six employees dismissed for union activity, and expressed solidarity with unionized workers at "Yura Corporation" in Ivangorod (Kingisepp district of Leningrad region), who are also under severe pressure from the employer.
We recall that on March 6, in Kingisepp a picket took place against the anti-union policy "Yura corporation” in Russia and Serbia, organized by the Inter-regional trade union of automobile industry workers (MPRA). Several dozen workers armed with whistles and megaphones, appealed to the Ambassador of South Korea and the state authorities of Serbia with the demand to curb the South Korean investor, grossly violating national and international legislation.
"At the “Yura plant" what is going on is a monstrous humiliation of workers - citizens of Serbia: the physical, psychological, and sexual - says Zeljko Veselinovic, chairman of the trade union Sloga. - The Labour Inspectorate ordered the return to work of our colleagues, but the leadership of "Yura" refuses to implement this decision."
"They do not accept the decision, on which we must return to work, and violates the laws of the Republic of Serbia, which for them – mean nothing," - said Maria Ilic, deputy chairman of the Sloga union at the "Yura”.
Meanwhile, the sympathies of the local authorities are clearly on the side of the employer. Thus, Mayor of Racha, Dragan Zhivanovich refuses to communicate with the media. In a brief telephone conversation with reporters, TV B92, she said she did not believe the workers of "Yura", and accused journalists of bias: "I spoke with the director Lucas-nam, and he assured me that “Yura" is in compliance with all laws and regulations." The management at "Yura" also refuses to comment on it.
Chairperson of the primary organisation of MPRA at "Yura Corporation RUS” in Ivangorod, Russia, Victor Makhno said that their union strongly supports the struggle of the Serb colleagues:" We protest against the illegal actions of "Yura" against the outbreak of psychological terror against workers who have used their legal right to organize into unions. We support the struggle of our sister union and believe in the victory of law, justice and truth, which is on our side. We are together to do one thing - fight for the interests and rights of workers. "
From MPRA
20.03.2011 10:11
On March 15, factory workers at "Yura Corporation in Racha (Serbia) and Sloga union activists, held a protest in front of the Embassy of South Korea in Belgrade. They demanded the reinstatement of six employees dismissed for union activity, and expressed solidarity with unionized workers at "Yura Corporation" in Ivangorod (Kingisepp district of Leningrad region), who are also under severe pressure from the employer.
We recall that on March 6, in Kingisepp a picket took place against the anti-union policy "Yura corporation” in Russia and Serbia, organized by the Inter-regional trade union of automobile industry workers (MPRA). Several dozen workers armed with whistles and megaphones, appealed to the Ambassador of South Korea and the state authorities of Serbia with the demand to curb the South Korean investor, grossly violating national and international legislation.
"At the “Yura plant" what is going on is a monstrous humiliation of workers - citizens of Serbia: the physical, psychological, and sexual - says Zeljko Veselinovic, chairman of the trade union Sloga. - The Labour Inspectorate ordered the return to work of our colleagues, but the leadership of "Yura" refuses to implement this decision."
"They do not accept the decision, on which we must return to work, and violates the laws of the Republic of Serbia, which for them – mean nothing," - said Maria Ilic, deputy chairman of the Sloga union at the "Yura”.
Meanwhile, the sympathies of the local authorities are clearly on the side of the employer. Thus, Mayor of Racha, Dragan Zhivanovich refuses to communicate with the media. In a brief telephone conversation with reporters, TV B92, she said she did not believe the workers of "Yura", and accused journalists of bias: "I spoke with the director Lucas-nam, and he assured me that “Yura" is in compliance with all laws and regulations." The management at "Yura" also refuses to comment on it.
Chairperson of the primary organisation of MPRA at "Yura Corporation RUS” in Ivangorod, Russia, Victor Makhno said that their union strongly supports the struggle of the Serb colleagues:" We protest against the illegal actions of "Yura" against the outbreak of psychological terror against workers who have used their legal right to organize into unions. We support the struggle of our sister union and believe in the victory of law, justice and truth, which is on our side. We are together to do one thing - fight for the interests and rights of workers. "
From MPRA
South Korea - poor state of health
The Seoul National University Hospital, the Severance Hospital and other hospitals in south Korea were recently disclosed to have conducted clinical tests on patients without guarantee of their lives. The story stunned the people.
Such illegal acts clearly indicate the poor health conditions of the south Korean society where money is everything.
The poor are denied hospital treatment in south Korea with medical treatment fees steadily rising.
A general medical check-up costs 100-400 U.S. dollars. Hospital charges a day in big hospitals of Seoul are estimated at 100-300 U.S. dollars on average.
In 2009 when bird flu swept across south Korea hospitals demanded 200 000 won for one medical examination.
After the emergence of the present "government" the number of infection cases at hospitals reached 300 000 a year and the ensuing yearly mortality rate 15 000.
The poor suffer from all kinds of diseases as they can hardly get timely treatment. Such poor health conditions of south Korea are an inevitable product of the unpopular rule by the puppet authorities.
All facts go to prove that the healthy life of the south Korean people is unthinkable as long as the present puppet authorities are allowed to stay in power.
Such illegal acts clearly indicate the poor health conditions of the south Korean society where money is everything.
The poor are denied hospital treatment in south Korea with medical treatment fees steadily rising.
A general medical check-up costs 100-400 U.S. dollars. Hospital charges a day in big hospitals of Seoul are estimated at 100-300 U.S. dollars on average.
In 2009 when bird flu swept across south Korea hospitals demanded 200 000 won for one medical examination.
After the emergence of the present "government" the number of infection cases at hospitals reached 300 000 a year and the ensuing yearly mortality rate 15 000.
The poor suffer from all kinds of diseases as they can hardly get timely treatment. Such poor health conditions of south Korea are an inevitable product of the unpopular rule by the puppet authorities.
All facts go to prove that the healthy life of the south Korean people is unthinkable as long as the present puppet authorities are allowed to stay in power.
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