South Korea issues new order to return to work
2022.12.08 10:38
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South Korea issues new order to return to work
Budrigannews.com – After nationwide industrial unrest disrupted supply chains, South Korea ordered truckers in the steel and petrochemical industries to end their strike on Thursday, expanding a back-to-work decree beyond the cement industry.
The truckers’ union said it would vote on whether to end its action as the government exerts more pressure.
A representative of the union said that on Friday, members will vote.
Tens of thousands of striking truck drivers are pleading for the permanent implementation of a minimum wage program. The government has rejected the request, stating that it would only extend the current program for an additional three years.
According to party lawmakers who spoke to reporters, the government’s position has been supported by the Democratic Party, an opposition party that controls a majority in parliament.
“The government does not waver. At a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated, “We absolutely have to break the cycle of an unjustified organized act.”
According to the government’s statement this week, the country has lost 2.66 billion won ($3.5 billion) in the first 12 days of the second strike in less than six months due to disruptions in supply of everything from automobiles to fuel.
According to President Yoon Suk-yeol, his administration will not comply with the “unjustified demands” of the truckers’ union.
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Although there has been no progress made in negotiations between the government and the union, some striking drivers claim that the drivers’ lack of income during the strike makes it difficult for them to maintain the industrial action.
According to data provided by the government, 78 gas stations across the nation, many of which are located in the Seoul metropolitan area, had run out of fuel as of late Wednesday night. About a third of the 2,000 fuel tankers are currently on strike.
The government gave 2,500 cement industry workers a “start work” order last week to get them back on the road. According to reports in the media, which cited the industry ministry, approximately 35% of the 2,600 fuel tanker drivers in the country are striking.
Steel shipments are running at 48% of ordinary levels, and shipments of petrochemical items have tumbled to around 20%, the vehicle service said on Thursday, raising worries that those interruptions would influence creation of vehicles and boats.
Due to a lack of raw materials and storage space for unused inventory, petrochemical companies are considering cutting production as soon as this weekend.
The government forced striking workers to resume work for the first time with the “start work” order last month. Licenses could be revoked, three years in prison could be imposed, and a fine of up to $22,550 won could be imposed.
The union has stated that it will defy the government’s order and take legal action with the assistance of certified labor attorneys, despite the government’s claim that its order was successful in returning striking truck drivers to the road.
