The Korea Herald reports that a general strike implemented by over 120,000 militant unionists at 166 manufacturing companies in protest at the government-proposed five-day workweek could de-rail economic recovery and result in lost production.
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Nationwide walkouts are being organised by the Korea Metal Worker’s Federation (KMWF) and its umbrella group, the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).
The KCTU has said that affiliated unions at local automakers, auto parts makers, tyre producers and machinery manufacturers actively participated in yesterday’s general strike.
The Korea Herald report adds that unionists at all three of the nation’s largest automakers – Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors and Ssangyong Motor – and most of the 60 auto-component makers affiliated with the KMWF, participated in the strike.
The report says that 68,000 striking unionists at Hyundai, Kia and Ssangyong put down their tools for four to 10 hours yesterday, following a partial strike dating back to Friday.
Hyundai is estimated to have suffered an output loss of 10,945 cars, or 149 billion won ($121.6 million), this week, while affiliated Kia also suffered an estimated loss of 16 billion won, or 1,520 vehicles.
The Herald says that Hyundai’s day workers joined the strike action from 1 to 5 pm and the night workers followed suit from 11 pm to 6 am the next day.
However, unionists at GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (GMDAT) abstained from the strike, but it too will be affected by the actions of its suppliers.
