Union demands minimum wage of 12,000 won, warns of general strike next month

Participants chant slogans at a Korean Confederation of Trade Unions rally calling for a minimum wage increase, held in front of Yeollin Songhyeon Green Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Saturday. [Yonhap]
Participants chant slogans at a Korean Confederation of Trade Unions rally calling for a minimum wage increase, held in front of Yeollin Songhyeon Green Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Saturday. [Yonhap]

Labor groups held a large rally in central Seoul on Saturday, two days before the legal deadline for the Minimum Wage Commission to complete its deliberations on next year's minimum wage, urging a substantial increase.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, known as KCTU, held a rally near Yeollin Songhyeon Green Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, at around 3 p.m. Saturday under the banner of "a sharp minimum wage hike, victory in direct-employer bargaining, and securing the minimum wage for all workers." Organizers estimated about 3,000 people attended. Participants carried placards reading "Minimum wage is people's livelihood" and "12,000 won ($8) — a sturdy umbrella for workers," chanting slogans calling for a minimum wage increase and the protection of basic labor rights.

KCTU Chairman Yang Gyeong-su said in his opening address that companies are awash in money, yet when workers ask for performance bonuses, they are told corporate growth and sustainability must come first. "When irregular workers raise the issue of a minimum wage increase, we are told small business owners cannot survive," he said. "Why must workers always be pushed to the back?"

Yang went on to say, "Why are workers always forced to make concessions? Money is flooding into the stock market, yet workers' pockets are still bone dry." He added, "We hear that those who have reaped enormous profits are out shopping for real estate in Gangnam and Dongtan, while we hesitate to buy even a single item at the supermarket."

Yang warned of a general strike on July 15, saying the union would "fight to win a sharp minimum wage increase." After the rally, KCTU members marched toward Cheong Wa Dae.

Meanwhile, the Minimum Wage Commission held its ninth plenary session on June 25 to discuss next year's minimum wage level, but labor and management representatives failed to narrow their differences. The commission agreed to continue deliberations at its 10th plenary session on June 30, meaning it will miss the legal deadline of June 29.


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