Korean Metal Workers' Union seeks inspections of semiconductor suppliers

The Korean Metal Workers' Union called for special labor inspections of LEENO Industrial and Hana Materials during a press conference at the National Assembly on the 19th. The union claimed that LEENO Industrial reversed its position on personnel-related clauses following four rounds of overnight special negotiations intended to end a general strike lasting more than two months.

The Korean Metal Workers' Union has urged the Ministry of Employment and Labor to conduct a special labor inspection, claiming that semiconductor material, component, and equipment (hereafter referred to as "semiconductor suppliers") companies are evading collective bargaining. The union demanded that since the government supports the semiconductor industry, it must also step in to guarantee labor rights and improve working environments at production sites.

On the 19th, the Korean Metal Workers' Union and Jinbo Party National Assembly member Jeong Hye-gyeong held a press conference at the National Assembly to raise issues regarding bargaining processes and the need for improved working conditions at semiconductor supplier workplaces.

Ko Eun-ha, Vice Chair of the Korean Metal Workers' Union, claimed that pressure regarding supply prices and delivery deadlines from large prime contractors is being passed down to subcontracted workers. She called for the immediate improvement of the unequal structure between prime and subcontractors, where all risks and sacrifices are shifted to subcontracted workers under the shadow of large corporations, and demanded a special labor inspection for LEENO Industrial and Hana Materials.

The Korean Metal Workers' Union Busan-Yangsan Branch LEENO Industrial Chapter claimed that bargaining issues, which had been narrowed through mediation by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, have returned to square one due to a reversal of the company's position.

Kim Seung-ha, head of the Korean Metal Workers' Union Busan-Yangsan Branch LEENO Industrial Chapter, explained that the Busan Northern District Office of the Ministry of Employment and Labor intervened during a general strike that has lasted for more than two months since last July. During this process, labor and management narrowed their differences through four rounds of overnight special negotiations and signed certain clauses, but failed to reach a final agreement after the company changed its stance on personnel-related clauses.

Kim claimed, "The company stated its position that it would nullify the contents discussed during the special negotiations," adding that "subsequent collective bargaining included remarks suggesting that the special negotiations with the Ministry of Employment and Labor were merely informal."

She further pointed out, "The fact that a final agreement was not reached should not be used to lightly dismiss the process where labor and management have been discussing and narrowing differences." She requested that the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and the Ministry of Employment and Labor verify the circumstances of the failed special negotiations and the company's change in position to play a role in reaching a settlement.

Lee Jeong-gon, head of the Korean Metal Workers' Union Gyeonggi Branch TCK Chapter, suggested that the working environment of individual workplaces should be addressed within industrial promotion policies.

Lee stated that since TCK operates its factory 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on a three-shift system, the health and right to rest of workers must be guaranteed. "The growth of a company does not automatically improve the rights and working environments of its workers," he said. "The fact that a factory must operate 24 hours a day does not mean workers' lives must always be aligned with production."

He demanded that industrial policy goals and evaluation criteria include not only the scale of corporate investment and production performance but also the creation of quality jobs and the improvement of working environments. He called for reflecting the opinions of field workers in the policy-making process and establishing safeguards so that deregulation and corporate support do not weaken the rights and safety of workers.

"This is not a struggle to oppose industrial development," Lee explained. "It is a demand to create an industry where corporate growth and workers' lives progress together."

Jeong Hye-gyeong criticized, "The government is pouring massive financial and policy support into the semiconductor industry, yet it is not properly looking into the rights of the workers who actually make the semiconductors."

She added that semiconductor companies receiving state support have a responsibility to guarantee labor rights regardless of whether they are prime contractors or subcontractors, stating, "The Jinbo Party will hold employers who suppress unions accountable through the state audit."

Read the original (Korean)