South Korean government increases offensive against workers

In South Korea there are two main trade union federations that represent workers, the Korean Federation of Trade Unions (FKTU) and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). This week, in a tripartite committee comprising representatives from the FKTU, the Korea Employers' Federation and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, a deal reforming labour laws was reached. This agreement will make it easier to fire workers and to vary their employment contracts in order to increase ‘flexibility’. The KCTU regards this as an attack on workers’ rights and is opposing these reforms. The KCTU organised a traditional head shaving ceremony to mark the start of a campaign to oppose these changes.

In South Korea there are two main trade union federations that represent workers, the Korean Federation of Trade Unions (FKTU) and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). This week, in a tripartite committee comprising representatives from the FKTU, the Korea Employers' Federation and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, a deal reforming labour laws was reached. This agreement will make it easier to fire workers and to vary their employment contracts in order to increase ‘flexibility’. The KCTU regards this as an attack on workers’ rights and is opposing these reforms. The KCTU organised a traditional head shaving ceremony to mark the start of a campaign to oppose these changes.