[OPE-L:3884] Nationwide Strike in S.Korea Against Neoliberal Policies

Gerald Lev (glevy@pratt.edu)
Sat, 28 Dec 1996 09:47:47 -0800 (PST)

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Chai-on, Rieu, Seongjin: can you tell us some more about the following?
In solidarity, Jerry

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 11:13:10 -0600 (CST)
From: "Harry M. Cleaver" <hmcleave@mundo.eco.utexas.edu>
Subject: Nationwide Strike in S.Korea Against Neoliberal Policies

FINANCE

The News
Mexico City, December 28 1996.

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STRIKES, UNREST SPREAD THROUGHOUT SOUTH KOREA

Reuters

SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korea's biggest group of labor unions on Friday
threw its 1.2 million-strong membership behind a nationwide strike until the
end of the year, while the government and employers sought to soothe worker
anger.

Nurses at 14 hospitals joined strikes that have almost halted production of
cars and ships and that threaten transport chaos when bus drivers and subway
staff walk out on Saturday.

More than 15,000 workers raised clenched fists at a rally in Seoul, chanting
anti-government slogans as they vented their fury against a labor law passed
on Thursday.

The usually moderate Federation of Korean Trade Unions added its muscle to a
battle over the law that gives employers the right to lay off workers, adopt
flexible work hours and replace strikers.

Originally, it planned a 24-hour action starting from midday Friday to noon
on Saturday.

But at a news conference, its chairman Park In-sang announced the walkout
would now last until next Tuesday, and possibly into the new year depending
on a vote on Monday.

Bus services in major cities would be halted on Saturday, Park said. Subway
lines in Seoul operated by federation workers would stop on Monday morning.

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[FINANCE]