Six major business groups express concern over 'disruption to industry as a whole'

Call on government to support resumption of negotiations, urge dialogue

Ready-mix concrete transport operators in the greater Seoul area launched a strike Monday, demanding higher transport rates and recognition as workers under the Trade Union Act. Vehicles sit idle at a concrete factory in Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Lim Se-jun
Ready-mix concrete transport operators in the greater Seoul area launched a strike Monday, demanding higher transport rates and recognition as workers under the Trade Union Act. Vehicles sit idle at a concrete factory in Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Lim Se-jun

South Korea's business community has raised alarm over the refusal by ready-mix concrete transport workers in the greater Seoul area to haul deliveries, warning the action is causing "strong disruption not only to construction sites but to industry as a whole."

Six major business groups said in a joint statement Thursday that any disruption to the supply of ready-mix concrete — a critical construction material — would inevitably halt work on key infrastructure projects. "The greater Seoul area is home to a concentration of construction sites directly tied to the national economy and people's livelihoods, including semiconductor factories, housing and infrastructure projects," the groups said. "If the situation drags on, there is a serious risk that the damage will spread across the entire national economy."

The groups also noted that the ready-mix concrete industry had previously reached an agreement with the union despite operating at utilization rates below 14 percent amid falling order volumes and rising costs, including fuel prices. "It is deeply regrettable that this transport refusal began by breaking a labor-management agreement that was reached with great difficulty," they said.

The groups called on all parties to work together toward recovery rather than resort to a transport stoppage at a time when related industries are already struggling under high inflation and a construction sector downturn. "Pressing issues including transport rates must be resolved through dialogue and compromise," they said.

The six groups urged the government to actively support the swift resumption of negotiations while taking steps to stabilize the supply of ready-mix concrete and minimize damage at construction sites.

They added that the business community would cooperate fully to ensure stability at construction sites and that investment in advanced industries proceeds on schedule.


joze@heraldcorp.com