Date: Mon, 06 Jan 1997 20:25:04 -0500
Subject: M-G: [Fwd: Appeal Solidarity Action for Korean Workers]


Path: news.igc.apc.org!cdp!jagdish
From: Jagdish Parikh <jagdish-AT-igc.apc.org>
Newsgroups: labr.global
Subject: Appeal Solidarity Action for Korean Workers
Message-ID: <aa36728c&199701070008.QAA12333-AT-igc3.igc.apc.org>
Date: 06 Jan 1997 16:10:35
X-Gateway: notes-AT-igc.apc.org
Lines: 73

From: "Jagdish Parikh" <jagdish-AT-igc.apc.org>
Subject: Appeal Solidarity Action for Korean Workers

------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date:          Mon, 6 Jan 1997 16:34:12 +0800 (HKT)
From:          AMRC <amrc-AT-HK.Super.NET>


KCTU: The escalating Second Stage of the General Strike declared on
6 January at 8:00 am  	On 6 January, 1996, the President of the
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Kwon Young-gil called on
the metal workers' unions, auto workers' unions,  construction
workers' unions, the Hyundai Federation of Trade Unions, professional
workers' unions  and white collar workers' unions to take part in the
general strike - a total of 160 affiliated unions with 200,000
members of KCTU. Today workers who are going on strike demanded the
repeal of the anti- worker  labour laws, National Security Planning
Agency Act, an apology  from the President, Kim Young-sam, and the
resignations of the cabinet of Prime Minister Lee Soo-sung and New
Korea Party Chairman Lee Hong -koo. 	

Tomorrow the general strike will be extended to all the industral
and public sectors as  major  broadcasting trade unions (KBS, MBC,
EBS, CBS), hospital unions, and white collar workers' unions which
have are total of 2,300,000 members in  210 affiliated unions of
KCTU. 

	However, it is expected that the Korean government will  reject the
workers' demands and suppress the movement. For example, 50 union
leaders face arrest and 20 leaders of the Korean Confederation of
Trade Unions (KCTU) received summons' today. Yesterday  prosecutors
warned that they could arrest about 50 top trade union leaders 
including the president of KCTU. In spite of this warning, workers
will not give up their demands and the general  strike will continue.

	The president of KCTU, Kwon Young-gil said that, "Our protest
strikes will continue until President Kim Young-sam accepts our
demands and he should apologize to 12 million workers. Unless the
unilaterally railroadthe general strike will enter into the third
stage of the General Strike soon." 	 

* How can we support the genuine workers' strike in achieving victory ?

Protest to the Korean government: 

1) KCTU hopes that workers or any supporters overseas organise
protest rallies in front of Korean embassies in their countries. 


2) Send protest letters to the Kim Young-sam government. Fax no:
822- 855-1913

Encourage workers in their struggle to act bravely and fight for
their lives! 


* Most of the workers involved in the general strike action gave up 
their year-end annual bonus and salary for the cause of workers'
rights. It is a very difficult time for them and their families. We
appeal to all concerned groups and supporters to make donations to
the strikers of KCTU so that they may continue the strike. Every
little bit will help! 

Please send donations to the strikers to: 
To:  Kim In Soog   (KCTU).
Korean (Foreign) Exchange Bank 
account number : 141-05-1003-7

If you send a donation to KCTU, please inform Yoon Young-mo at the
International Department of KCTU by fax or e-mail. Fax number :
001-822-765-2011 E-mail : kctuint-AT-chollian.dacom.co.kr     	





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