|
We are not criminals! We are not terrorists!
Sit-in protest against crackdown on undocumented migrants in the name of G-20
First Report
* In June the South Korean government began a concentrated crackdown on undocumented migrant workers, claiming this measure is necessary to ensure the successful holding of the G20 Summit in November. The government says the crackdown will go on until the end of August. All around the country the Immigration Service, the Ministry of Labor and the police are carrying out raids and stopping people on the streets. Everyday dozens of people suffer because of this inhumane policy of arrest and deportation. As if this is not enough, the government is even forcing detained migrants to pay a fine of up to 2 million won, furthering their troubles. At some immigration offices the fine is being taken out of back wages sent to detained migrant workers without their consent. This is clearly an illegal act. First crackdown, then fines... Forcing this double burden on migrants is a severe form of oppression.
There are also cases of violent treatment. For example, a Chinese migrant worker was beaten after being taken to the office of the Suwon Immigration Service.
To protest against this policy of arrest and deportation, the Migrants Trade Union began a sit-in protest at the Hyang-rin Church in the Myeongdong district on July 13. We held a ceremony to mark the beginning of the protest on July 17. Although there are not many of us participating in the sit-in, many people, including activists from overseas, came to our opening ceremony to show solidarity and support.
We wish to express our sincere gratitude to all those who participated.
PICTURE 1: KCTU chief vice president Jeong Ui-hyeon giving a solidarity speech
PICTURE 2: Performance by Somodu of the Stop Crackdown Band
PICTURE 3: Speeches by participants in the sit-in protest
- support our struggle!
(Account: Sinhan Bank, 110-254-322818, Jeong Yeong-sup)
Please send messages of solidarity to: migrant@jinbo.net
Please let the members of your organization know about the unjust and illegal crackdown against undocumented migrant workers going on in South Korea in the name of the G20
| 
