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Korea, Republic Of

Korea: KHMU Campaigns Against For-Profit Hospitals

04 April 2019
KHMU members protest against the for-profit hospital in Jeju.

The Korean Health and Medical Union (KHMU) will organise a series of campaigns this year to defend the right to quality public healthcare and for workers’ rights in the sector. At its 21st anniversary ceremony and regular congress which took place on 27-28 February, the union decided to include all-out mobilisation against the expansion of for-profit hospitals and against precarious work.

PSI supports KCTU’s general strike for ratification of ILO Core Conventions without regression

05 March 2019

Social dialogue towards ratification of ILO Core Conventions 87 (freedom of association) and 98 (collective bargaining) in the Republic of Korea appears to be moving in the direction of actually weakening fundamental labour rights.

South Korean government responds to workers’ demands for justice for young worker Kim Yong-gyun

The South Korean government has announced today a series of measures in response to the tragic death of 24-year-old power plant worker, killed in an industrial accident resulting from the “outsourcing of danger” and lack of safety measures at Taean Power Plant.

KPTU wins termination of contract for Seoul metro Line 9

30 January 2019

Halfway through a 10-year deal, South Korea’s capital local government decides to put an end to its contract with French private operators RATP Dev and Transdev after negotiations over renewed contract conditions failed. The announcement, on 18 January, came shortly after members of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union (KPTU), a PSI and ITF affiliate, made public their intention to go on strike.

Whistleblowers

26 July 2018

Stay tuned for more!

"Real denuclearisation and the establishment of a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula are up to us", says PSI affiliate KPTU

13 June 2018

"As we made clear during the Candlelight Rally for Peace on June 9, a real plan for the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula has to include withdrawal of the U.S.’ policies of nuclear pre-emptive strike and extended deterrence against North Korea. [...] In addition, a reduction of conventional weapons by all sides and withdrawal of the U.S. troops station in South Korea are needed to remove the material conditions of war and overcome the roots causes of the nuclear conflict. All of these tasks remain before us", reads the statement issued by the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union.

Take Action: Call for the release of Han Sang Gyun

PSI is calling on all affiliates to join the renewed joint ITUC and GUF international campaign calling for the release of Han Sang-gyun and the withdrawal of the charges against Lee Young-joo, respectively former President and General Secretary of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).

Send a letter of protest to President Moon and join the Day of Action on 9 February 2018.

Public workers of the world call for immediate release of detained Korean unionist Han Sang-gyun

03 November 2017
Hundreds of the world's top public sector union leaders have signed on to a petition urging the Korean government to release the imprisoned leader of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.

Korean unions win Tripartite Cooperation

16 August 2017
KHMU met with employer and government representatives

Korean health unions are very satisfied with the new spirit of of tripartite social dialogue in the country, which on 12 July led to the signing of a collective agreement at Green hospital in Seoul to: increase staffing levels; create more jobs by fully implementing nursing/caregiving integrated services; create jobs by shortening working hours and regularize the employment of workers on contract jobs in hospitals.

Mission to Seoul

Date: 
29 August, 2017 to 31 August, 2017

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli, will be visiting Seoul (South Korea) from 29-31 August. During the mission a series of meetings and activities will take place: