Over 20,000 truckers joined a strike in late November this year after the government failed to keep its promises on “Safe Rates” legislation and an effective minimum wage that had been agreed between the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MoLIT) and KPTU-TruckSol. 

Instead of engaging in social dialogue, the Korean government invoked unprecedented national emergency and anti-strike provisions to break the KPTU-TruckSol strike. 

PSI General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli in the open letter wrote, “the case sets a dangerous precedent for all workers in Korea. The government’s illegitimate use of emergency powers, willingness to engage the military and use of the Fair Trade Commission to issue return to work orders to break a legitimate strike is a threat to all workers delivering public services in Korea and damages Korea’s reputation internationally.”

Although the workers have voted to end their strike, PSI appealed to the Korean government “to engage with the union to ensure all workers enjoy the rights they are entitled to, including fair wages, a safe working environment and the right to collectively bargain and take strike action.”