South Korian Workers Struggles.

The Branch Council of the CPSU/CSA notes that:

• The South Korean government is repressing democratic trade union activity in South Korea;

• Arrest warrants have issued against 21 senior leaders of the Korean Council of Trade Unions (KCTU) including the KCTU President, First Vice President, the General Secretary and the senior leadership of the metal workers union (KMWU);

• There was a significant abuse of force employed by military police in blockading the union national office and raiding the family homes of union leaders;

• Ms Jin Yeong-ok, First Vice President and a senior leader of the Korean Metal Unions was arrested and imprisoned;

• The Hyundai corporation continues to deny collective bargaining rights to the KMTU;

We call on the South Korean Government to:

• Unconditionally revoke all arrest warrants and immediately release the jailed unionists;

• Recognize that South Korean unions have an inalienable right to define the role of their organizations free from government or corporate pressure;

• Ensure that the Hyundai corporation recognizes the collective bargaining rights of the KMTU;

If the Korean Government and Hyundai corporation fails to address our concerns about the repression of Korean worker leaders, the CPSU/CSA, together with other SIGTUR participants, will plan and execute a staged action campaign that will continue until the ongoing repression of union and democratic freedoms ceases.

We resolve to:

1. Send a letter of protest to the South Korean Government (ref Annexure A),
2. Send a message of solidarity to the KCTU, (refer annexure B), articulating our commitment to support their struggle for collective rights and democratic freedom.
3. Support the formation of a delegation to meet with the Korean Ambassador in Australia to convey our condemnation of the current union repression, and to articulate the aforementioned demands.
4. Organize a meeting with the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs to convey our concerns over the recent arrests of KCTU leaders and to call on the South Korean Government to honor and implement the recommendations of the ILO committee on freedom of association.
5. Support a campaign of global action against the Korean Government and Hyundai, by SIGTUR and its participants, if the South Korean government fails to positively address our concerns.
6. Urge the Western Australia caretaker government to refrain from purchasing Hyundai vehicles or equipment until the rights of South Korean workers are recognized by that corporation and the government of South Korea.

ANNEXURE A

president@cwd.go.kr, foreign@president.go.kr

cc: The Police Commissioner,,National Police Agency, Mr Eo Cheong-soo

cnpa100@police.go.kr

Your Excellency President Lee Myung-bak,

The CPSU/CSA represents the industrial rights of all State public service workers in Western Australia. We write to express our grave concerns and condemnation of the ongoing repression of South Korean trade unions and their members, in particular the leadership of the KCTU and its affiliates, in your country.

We call on you to uphold the democratic process which your country consistently claims differentiates it from your northern counterpart, and to release the unionists who have been detained in flagrant violation of the ILO convention on freedom of association.

The CPSU/CSA urges you and the government of your country, to respect fundamental human rights and the rights of workers to organize and express views on issues of social justice. In particular, we note that the Hyundai corporation is totally remiss in its failure to recognize the collective bargaining rights of the KMTU. We seek your assurance that trade unionists in your country will enjoy freedom of assembly and the right to democratic dissent, which are the hallmarks of a liberal democracy.

In the interests of social justice.

Branch Secretary

CPSU/CSA

ANNEXURE B

Comrade Lee Changgeun

International Executive Director

Korean Confederation of Trade Unions

inter@kctu.org

Dear Comrade Lee,

on behalf of the CPSU/CSA, which represents the industrial rights of all West Australian Public Service workers, I wish to extend our support and solidarity in your struggle for social justice and democratic trade union rights.

We condemn the recent oppressive actions of the South Korean government against your leaders and affiliates of your confederation.

Our union extends its sympathy to union comrades and their families, who suffer oppression under the cruel tyranny of government and profit-hungry corporations.

A copy of our protest to the President of your country is attached. We will continue to support your struggle and will, together with other SIGTUR participants, initiate international pressure against the forces that continue to deny the South Korean people freedom of expression and the right to organize.

In solidarity,

Branch Secretary

CPSU/CSA.