Unionized workers of the Manufacturing Workers' Solidarity formed by trade unions of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions(FKTU) and Korean Confederation of Trade Unions(KCTU) in the manufacturing industry reacted strongly against the law revision direction of the Labor Standards Act to cut working hours and the Minimum Wage Act to improve the system. They argued that "the move surrounding the revision bills discussed between political parties contradicts the spirit to build a society where labor is respected, since they reportedly "prohibit the double premium rates for holiday extended work and include the regular allowance in the scope of minimum wage calculation."
Four national level industrial unions and federations in the manufacturing industry, two from FKTU, Federation of Korean Metalworkers Trade Unions(FKMTU) and Federation of Korean Chemical Workers Unions(FKCWU), and another two from KCTU, Korean Metal Workers Union(KMWU) and Korean Chemical and Textile Workers Federation(KCTF), participate in the Manufacturing Workers Solidarity.
FKTU President Kim Ju-young and KCTU President Kim Myung-hwan also joined the rally to show their solidarity support to the struggle of manufacturing workers.
reported by Lee Eun-young
translated by Kim Sung-jin