[South Korea] Half a million workers strike for labour law reform

On October 20, tens of thousands of South Korean workers across the country staged a walkout and demonstrated to demand labour law changes and the nationalisation of key industries, World Socialist Web Site reports.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) - the country’s largest umbrella labour union, with 1.1 million members - said that around 550,000 workers in cities and rural areas took part in the strike.

The main demands were reportedly for the abolition of irregular work, such as part-time, temporary and contract labour, and for the nationalisation of key industries and socialising basic services like education and housing. The union leadership demanded more collaboration with the government and employers about economic restructuring decisions.

South Korea ranks third highest in annual working hours. In 2015 the country had the third-highest number of workplace deaths among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development member countries. 

More than 40 per cent of all workers in South Korea are irregular employees with a growing number in the gig economy and without a guaranteed income.

On October 20, tens of thousands of South Korean workers across the country staged a walkout and demonstrated to demand labour law changes and the nationalisation of key industries, World Socialist Web Site reports.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) - the country’s largest umbrella labour union, with 1.1 million members - said that around 550,000 workers in cities and rural areas took part in the strike.

The main demands were reportedly for the abolition of irregular work, such as part-time, temporary and contract labour, and for the nationalisation of key industries and socialising basic services like education and housing. The union leadership demanded more collaboration with the government and employers about economic restructuring decisions.

South Korea ranks third highest in annual working hours. In 2015 the country had the third-highest number of workplace deaths among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development member countries. 

More than 40 per cent of all workers in South Korea are irregular employees with a growing number in the gig economy and without a guaranteed income.