South Korea - Migrant workers' struggle continues

Following the Korean Government's agreement that will allow 'illegal' migrant workers to voluntarily leave the country in exchange for a guarantee that they can return legally later, the media reported yesterday that most migrant workers had  taken advantage of the reprieve. Some workers are continuing the sit-in protest at Myeong-Dong Cathedral in Seoul city centre begun in November 2003. The Equality Trade Union, Migrant's Branch (ETU-MB), has highlighted the principle of equal rights for all workers, demanded a work permit system, the right of workers to choose their place of work and the auhtorities release all migrant workers being held in detention centres. Sixty ETU-MB members have refused to accept the government's terms and are continuing the sit-in (Source: NFSVK e-mail 7th February, 2004).

Korean Street Vendors win right to trade in Olympic stadium after battle against evictions

On 30th November, Seoul metropolitan city police demolished the stalls of approximately 1600 street traders in Chonggye-chon St district to make way for city restoration. Most of the street vendors had no other means of earning a living and continued to trade even though they faced daily harassment and forced removal by the city police and hired security. In January the Seoul City authorities gave way and found another trading space near Chonggye-chon Street so that evicted vendors could continue to earn a living . They have resumed trading at Dongdae-mun Stadium, used for the 1988 Seoul Olympics (Pics and report from NFSVK  e-mail 27th January 2004).

Left: Eviction and destruction of street vendors stalls. Right: Chonggye-chon Street vendors in their new home Dongdae-mun Stadium.

International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel and Restaurant, Catering, Tobbaco and Allied Workers ( IUF) calls for solidarity with Korea migrant workers

South Korea: KCTU Migrant Workers Union Under Attack (From IUF Website 15.01.2004)