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2007-08-27 16:17:35 |
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 MTU이주노조 |
 민주노총국제회의_022.jpg (166.7 KB), Download : 47 |
 민주노총국제회의_024.jpg (171.8 KB), Download : 32 |
 8월 20-21일 민주노총 이주노동자 노동기보권 쟁취를 위한 국제회의 공동성명 |
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2007 International Conference on Defending and Promoting the Basic Rights of Migrant Workers
Join Resolution
The basic labor rights of migrant workers, who now suffer greatly from low wages, exploitation, and industrial accidents due to anti-human rights and anti-labor policies, must be protected!
On January 1, 2007 the South Korean government abolished the Industrial Trainee System, which had been called a “modern form of slavery,” and in place implemented the Employment Permit System (EPS). Currently, the government is carrying out a wide-scale publicity campaign stating that the new system would protect migrant workers' rights. However the EPS is in reality a short-term rotation system, which prohibits free transfer of workplace and requires yearly renewal of contracts. The EPS is in it self a severe repression of migrant workers' rights. In the interest of economic efficiency, the South Korean government along with other governments throughout the world demand tremendous sacrifices from migrant workers and expect them to remain silent while their rights are being denied. Furthermore, many governments are labeling migrant workers who have become irregular due to the failure of their policies “illegal residents” and conducting “human-hunting” crackdowns and deportations against migrant workers in a brutal violation of their human rights.
The attitude behind such government actions is one of complete disregard for the humanity and dignity of migrant workers. These governments view migrant workers merely as disposable goods that can be used and discarded at will, completely ignoring the economic, political, and social circumstances which forces workers to migrate. Migrant workers come from countries wrought by underdevelopment, war, and political, social, and economic devastation as a result of capitalist imperialism and neoliberal globalization. They migrate in search of gainful employment which they cannot find at home. We recognize the need to address these root causes of migration at the same time as we tackle the realities faced by migrant workers in receiving countries.
In the face of this grave situation we make the following demands: Each national government must change its overall attitude towards migrant workers and prepare legal and institutional apparatuses necessary to guarantee migrant workers a minimum wage that matches the standard of that country, equal pay for equal work and humane treatment on parity with that afforded native workers, thus removing the shackles of discrimination and oppression and creating the conditions where all workers, whether migrant or native, can live together harmoniously.
Since November 2003, the South Korean government has been treating irregular migrant workers as criminals, who disrupt social peace and undermine the standards of local working conditions. Thus, the government has been carrying out “witch-hunt” policy of crackdowns and deportations. Already 100,000 irregular migrant workers have been routed out and deported. Many have been hurt and killed in the course of these crackdowns. In the midst of this tremendous violation of human rights, the government has expressed pride over its brutal actions. This past February 2nd, 10 migrant workers tragically lost their lives when a fire broke out at Yeosu Foreigners' detention Center. Fearing that those inside would escape, detention center officers refused to open cell doors, causing migrant workers to die behind locked iron bars.
This situation in which migrant workers are treated as criminals and forced to die behind prison bars for no other reason than having come to South Korea, a more developed nation, in order to earn money, is the true face of the South Korean government's policy on migrant workers. Since 2003, the government has been carrying out a massive crackdown against irregular migrant workers and at the beginning of this August the joint crackdowns intensified in severity. Once again migrant workers are being detained and forcibly deported in great numbers.
As such, the participants of this international conference on the rights of migrant workers demand that the South Korean government do the following:
1. Guarantee migrant workers the right to free transfer of workplace and decent working conditions! We condemn the EPS which is greatly deteriorating the lives of migrant workers.
2. Stop the crackdown and deportations immediately! Migrant workers are not criminals, and thus all policies that treat them as such must be immediately stopped.
3. Guarantee the right of residence and legalize all migrant workers.
Recognizing that the problem of migrant workers is not only of their concern, but rather an important issue for the entire labor movement and all labor-related organizations we resolve to focus on organizing and empowering migrant workers. Recognizing the significance of the High Court’s decision concerning the Migrants' Trade Union, in which the Court has recognized the right of irregular workers to join a trade union, we resolve to ensure the right of all migrant workers in South Korean and globally to organize and join a trade union regardless of their status. Utilizing the organizing experiences of each country, we commit to move forward and strengthen the network amongst us and work together to resolve the problems facing migrant workers.
As representatives to the International Conference on Defending and Promoting the Basic Rights of Migrant Workers held in South Korea, we will use the fruits of this gathering as a basis to establish regular and long-term solidarity and strategies for joint action. Whether we are representatives from sending or receiving countries, we adopt the position of 'unity of workers throughout the world' and 'workers are one' and vow to build close communication and alliances for the purpose of making a world in which workers can live dignified and humane lives.
21 August 2007
Participants to the 2007 International Conference on Defending and Protecting the Basic Labor Rights of Migrant Workers
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