Labor Unions Intensify Struggles with Nationwide Rallies on Labor Day

On May 1st, Labor Day, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held large-scale rallies respectively. On Labor Day itself, the FKTU planned a major rally on Yeouido-daero, followed by a street march, while the KCTU held theirs on Sejong-daero, also concluding with a street march. Rallies concerning labor rights took place across the country.

This Labor Day sees a surge in labor groups pushing for their demands, with the Samsung Biologics union entering a general strike over disputes concerning performance-based pay. Despite a partial ruling by the Incheon District Court to prohibit certain strike actions, approximately 2,000 Samsung Biologics union members, excluding about 400 personnel from specific production processes, plan to continue their strike action until May 5th. The union is demanding a 14.3% increase in base pay, an additional payment of 3.5 million won, the abolition of the 50% cap on performance bonuses relative to annual salary, and the payment of performance bonuses equivalent to 20% of operating profit exceeding a certain threshold.

The KCTU's affiliated Metal Workers' Union has been on an indefinite strike since April 27th. The KCTU's Riders Union branch under the Public Transport Workers' Union and the Cargo Workers' Solidarity General Headquarters held a placard protest in front of the Blue House fountain on April 29th, demanding the introduction of a minimum wage per delivery.

The President, speaking at a senior secretaries' meeting on April 30th, pointed out the excessive demands made by some workers. On April 30th, the Supreme Court's Civil Division 3 finalized a lower court's ruling that regular bonuses can be considered ordinary wages in the final appeal of a wage claim lawsuit filed by Dong-a Transportation drivers and their bereaved families.

The ruling Democratic Party is pushing for legislation such as the 'Basic Law for Working People' and the 'Presumption of Employment' system. The 'Basic Law for Working People' defines anyone who provides labor and receives compensation, regardless of contract type, as a working person.

Labor Day has become a prominent occasion since the government changed its name from 'Workers' Day' and designated it as a legal public holiday.