[news] S. Korea: Solidarity Needed Over Korean Workers Death

[Yang Chang]

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Date:        2/2/03 7:16 AM
From:        Jamie Doucette, polaroidsea at yahoo.com

Solidarity Needed Over Korean Workers Death     
Date:   1/30/2003 11:50:43 PM Pacific Standard Time 
From:   lvpsf at igc.org   

PICIS <picis at jinbo.net>

Dear Friends, 

Warm Greetings from PICIS!

PICIS, in solidarity with KCTU, sends you an appeal for solidarity, about 
the death for a worker in Korea.

In Solidarity, 

PICIS
---------------------------------------------
KCTU APPEAL(Jan. 30th, 2003)

Bloody Suppression

On January 10, a Unionist at Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction, a 
shipbuilding firm, burned himself to death. He decided to commit suicide 
in 
protest against company's brutal suppression over union members. 
Bae Dal-ho, a 50-year-old team leader of the boilers section, was found 
burned to death nearby the cooling tower. Bae had been working for Doosan 
for 
21 years, and his family depended on his earnings. Doosan had asked Bae 
to 
take responsibility for his involvement in the 47-day strike in May last 
year. The company convinced the court to hold his wage and restrict his 
bank 
access.  
Before his self-immolation, Bae wrote a memo, which was found in his car: 
"Due to the company's provisional seizure of my wage, I had not received 
any 
pay for more than 6 months. No wage will be paid to me on this 
forthcoming 
payday, nor the day after tomorrow."

The members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the 
Korean 
Metal Workers Federation (KMWF) are organising nation-wide struggles. One 
of 
our demands is the resignation of Doosan president Park Yong-sung from 
the 
chair of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the 
retraction of provisional property seizure and charge for damage, and a 
special investigation on Doosan's acquisition of Korea Heavy Industries 
and Construction, the former firm of Doosan Heavy Industries and 
Construction.

The provisional seizure of assets is a new form of suppression over trade 
unions these days in Korea. Until now, the amount trade union leaders 
were 
charged with is about 200 million won each, regardless of their ability 
to 
pay. Around 50 companies are asking for a total of 22 billion won. Now, 
it 
costs us not only money, but also blood. Stop suppressing the union! 

Our Demands

- Stop the suppression of trade unions!
- Demand special labour supervision over Doosan Heavry Industries and 
Construction and punish its unfair labour practices!
- Park Yong-sung should resign as chairperson of the Korea Chamber of 
Commerce and Industry (KCCI)!!

Please send a protest letter(following are sample letters) by e-mail or 
fax.  

(Please copy your protest letter to us, inter at kctu.org)


Sample Protest Letter 1

President of Doosan Group & KCCI, Park Yong-sung
Seoul, South Korea

E-mail Address : yspark at doosan.com, http://www.yspark.com/
Fax Number : +82-55-2645551~2

Dear President Park:

Having heard the suicide of a Doosan worker, Bae Dalho, I demand strongly 
that you stop suppression over the trade union of Doosan Heavy Industries 
and 
Construction through inhumane measures such as provisional seizure of 
assets 
and wages, and charge for damages.  
I would like for you to start respecting the fundamental rights of 
workers of 
Doosan, as well as those of Korea. 

Thank you.

(Please your signature)


Sample Protest Letter 2

Mr. Kim Dae-Jung
The President of Republic of Korea
E-mail: president at cwd.go.kr
Fax: +82-2-770-0347

President, Kim Dae-jung
Seoul, South Korea

Dear President Kim: 

Having heard the suicide of a Doosan worker, Bae Dalho, together with the 
thousands of trade unionists around the globe who are concerned with the 
rights of Doosan workers, I appeal to you to start respecting the 
fundamental 
rights of workers.   
I would like for you to take an urgent measure for protecting workers' 
rights 
of Doosan, as well as those of Korea. 

Thank you

(Please your signature)

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Lee Siu Hin
ActionLA
Action for World Liberation Everyday!
Tel: (213)413-1778
URL: http://www.ActionLA.org
e-mail: ActionLA at ActionLA.org

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