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E.Land management must take back dismissed workers - until then, strike action continues

They are fighting for their jobs and the future of their families. These young shop workers are picketing inside two stores in Korean capital Seoul, demanding that their employer E.Land cancel the mass dismissals of more that 1,000 cashiers and other shop workers. The large retail chain, who bought Carrefour's 32 Korean hypermarkets last year, wants to outsource these jobs previously held by part-time employees and other so-called non-regular workers. This is a way of avoiding to sign permanent contracts with them, something which a new legislation requires employers to do after two years of employment.

Yesterday, E.Land workers' trade union and the company management met for three hours of negotiation, but were unable to resolve the ongoing labour dispute. As the Korean retailer refused to cancel the dismissals of over 1,000 so-called non-regular workers, the union was unable to terminate its in-house picketing action in Homever and New Core stores in Seoul.

E.Land's bad track record

The Korean governments apparent unwillingness to take effective steps to ensure that E.Land adapts to fair labour practices draws increasing criticism also in Seoul. The company has a dismal track record in dealing with its personnel and has consistently ignored any demands by authorities to correct its approach. They have also never been prepared to genuinely recognise their employees' trade union. And as the government has failed to impose any substantial sanctions, E.Land has always got away with this behaviour.

When this textile retailing chain bought Carrefour's 32 Korean hypermarkets, it was understood that the employment of the workers would be assured. To ensure this, Carrefour concluded a collective agreement with the union, with the active support of UNI Commerce, which includes employment guarantees for the non-regular workers, who otherwise would not be protected.

The new owner E.Land had to respect the collective agreement after the take-over of Carrefour's Korean company, in accordance with the country's labour legislation. Two dismissal cases have already been brought to the labour commission, which has ruled in favour of the union, declaring them to be unfair. As the commission is not a court as such, the refusal of E.Land to accept these rulings means that the union has to take the issue to an appeals court.

Union could risk losing its bargaining strength

Against this background, it is understandable that the workers and their union want to continue their picketing. The company having already lost its credibility as a social partner, it could be more than risky to withdraw the pickets and sit down at a negotiating table without the backing up of this bargaining power. It would be highly unlikely that E.Land would then just agree to reinstate the dismissed shop workers.

This is why the Korean style in-house pickets continue - for the twelfth day at the Homever hypermarket at Seoul's World Cup Stadium, and for the fifth day at the New Core department store and discount market complex in Gangnam in central Seoul.

The struggle for their jobs and their livelihoods is a desperate one for the mainly young women workers involved. They know that there is no social security net to help them if they lose even the meagre incomes that they get from working as cashiers or sales personnel, on non-regular contracts. There are many single mothers among them, and many of them are the sole bread-winners of families where the husbands are ill or unemployed. A loss of their jobs would create numerous family tragedies.

UNI Commerce support

UNI Commerce will continue to monitor the situation and to support the striking shop workers and their trade union. Many affiliates have already sent solidarity messages to the workers, and demands to E.Land to reinstall those who have been dismissed.

As this conflict draws out, it becomes increasingly difficult for the union to financially support the picketing workers from its very limited resources. They have to get three meals every day, which is a major expense as it involves at least 600 to 700 people. UNI Commerce has therefore already transferred some solidarity funds to Seoul, which will help the union to provide meals during a few more days at least. An appeal will also be made to UNI Commerce affiliates in other countries, for support.

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