101st International Labour Conference kicks off in Geneva

Some 6,000 delegates representing workers, employers and governments come to the International Labour Organization each year to debate international labour standards, the application of ILO Recommendations and Conventions and discuss how the tripartite body can improve workers' rights around the world.May 30, 2012

Kiryung workers make revolutionary march before returning to work

After a five-year struggle for reinstatement, triumphant Kiryung Electronics workers march from “Seoul to Ssangyong Motor”, making 16 stops along the way to show solidarity with workers at struggle sites before returning to the factory floor on May 1, 2012.Feb 09, 2012

Photo by KMWU

KMWU calls for urgent solidarity support

Dramatic developments take place in Korea at Hanjin Heavy Industries shipyard and Yuseong Piston Ring. Private security forces and riot police forced out protesters from the shipyard and the police issued arrest warrants for Yuseong Piston Ring union leaders who in sign of protest have started a hunger strike in the Buddhist Jogye Temple in Seoul.Jun 30, 2011

KMWU exposes Yoosung union busting strategy

Over 3,000 riot police were sent to break up the sit-in protest of 500 workers at South Korean auto parts producer Yoosung Enterprise factory in Asan. According to a report received by the Korean Metal Workers' Union (KMWU) this is part of a general union busting strategy applied by the company.May 28, 2011

Protection Contracts at center of ILO debate

The ILO's Committee on Freedom of Association commits to take up the issue of Protection Contracts in Mexico and calls on the government to hold constructive dialogue with unions and employers, as it considers IMF's complaints on Union Autonomy, Protection Contracts and Precarious Work.Apr 07, 2011

Hyundai ordered to recognize precarious worker as a direct employee

After another successful ruling in the courts in South Korea, KMWU is demanding that Hyundai bring all its subcontracted workers into direct employment.Feb 17, 2011

GM Daewoo workers' struggle settles

GM Daewoo signs agreement reinstating 15 members of the precarious workers chapter of the Korean Metal Workers' Union (KMWU). The struggle for direct employment and the regularization of in-house subcontracted workers will continue, but this agreement represents an important victory for the workers.Feb 03, 2011

January

GM Daewoo workers high-altitude sit-in protest

December

KMWU precarious workers begin negotiations with Hyundai

November

October

KOREA: honour your international commitments

August

Ssangyong Motor union leaders remain in jail

June

VALEO cuts off electricity and water to peaceful sit-in protestors in Korea

April

One more Samsung worker dies – activists arrested

March

Samsung called to account for semiconductor cancer deaths

November

ILO to Korean government: Irregular workers still denied rights

August

July

Sit-in strike intensifies as police surround Ssangyong Motor

March

IMF calls for reinstatement of OECD monitoring process in Korea

December

KMWU branch chair is sentenced to one year imprisonment

October

IMF monitors trial of KMWU president

International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF) represents the collective interests of 25 million metalworkers from more than 200 unions in 100 countries. The IMF is a federation of national metalworkers’ unions, a union of unions at the world level. The IMF head office is in Geneva, Switzerland, where worldwide activities are co-ordinated with a network of regional offices.

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