ID :
185186
Mon, 05/30/2011 - 02:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/185186
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Lee calls for more peaceful labor-management relations
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak called for more peaceful labor-management relations Monday after a recent walkout at a key auto parts maker had threatened to cripple operations at Hyundai and other local carmakers and their parts suppliers.
Lee issued the appeal during his biweekly radio address, saying labor unrest has long been considered a holdup in South Korea's efforts to attract foreign investment. South Korea ranks 53rd out of 59 nations in terms of competitiveness in labor-management relations, Lee said.
The weeklong strike at the auto parts maker Yoosung Enterprise Co. made headlines as the company supplies some 70 percent of all engine parts needed by the five local carmakers, including industry leader Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp.
The strike sparked fears that it could lead to the carmakers and other parts suppliers suspending operations.
Police broke up the sit-in on Tuesday last week and the factory has since resumed operations.
Lee denounced the walkout as an attempt to "rock the entire industry with a strike at one company." Lee also said it was disappointing to see high-paid workers at Yoosung going on strike at a time when there are a number of people working hard under worse conditions.
"There should be no repetition of going on strike, companies getting shut down ... before realizing the importance of cooperation and co-existence," Lee said.
Lee said, however, that the overall labor-management relations have been improving.
"If this labor-management coexistence culture takes root, it will help increase productivity and revitalize investment in South Korea," he said.
Lee said that the government aims to help improve the quality of life for workers and help companies grow. Peaceful labor-management relations will lead to increased productivity that will in turn lead to bringing in greater investment and creating more jobs, Lee said.
To achieve the goal, Lee said that the government will deal sternly with not only illegal strikes, but also unfair management practices of workers' rights violations.
jschang@yna.co.kr
(END)
Lee issued the appeal during his biweekly radio address, saying labor unrest has long been considered a holdup in South Korea's efforts to attract foreign investment. South Korea ranks 53rd out of 59 nations in terms of competitiveness in labor-management relations, Lee said.
The weeklong strike at the auto parts maker Yoosung Enterprise Co. made headlines as the company supplies some 70 percent of all engine parts needed by the five local carmakers, including industry leader Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp.
The strike sparked fears that it could lead to the carmakers and other parts suppliers suspending operations.
Police broke up the sit-in on Tuesday last week and the factory has since resumed operations.
Lee denounced the walkout as an attempt to "rock the entire industry with a strike at one company." Lee also said it was disappointing to see high-paid workers at Yoosung going on strike at a time when there are a number of people working hard under worse conditions.
"There should be no repetition of going on strike, companies getting shut down ... before realizing the importance of cooperation and co-existence," Lee said.
Lee said, however, that the overall labor-management relations have been improving.
"If this labor-management coexistence culture takes root, it will help increase productivity and revitalize investment in South Korea," he said.
Lee said that the government aims to help improve the quality of life for workers and help companies grow. Peaceful labor-management relations will lead to increased productivity that will in turn lead to bringing in greater investment and creating more jobs, Lee said.
To achieve the goal, Lee said that the government will deal sternly with not only illegal strikes, but also unfair management practices of workers' rights violations.
jschang@yna.co.kr
(END)
