The Korea Metal Workers' Union (KMWU), which represents shipyard workers in South Korea, has joined Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering's (DSME) striking subcontractors, threatening to fight back should the government or police physically intervene.
The workers have refused to stop the strike, despite the Changwon District Court granting an injunction on 16 July, to cease the industrial action. As the strike nears the two-month mark, President Yoon Suk-yeol is threatening punitive action.
Yesterday it was reported that the South Korean police are considering mobilizing personnel to break up the strike, which began on 2 June. President Yoon also told journalists today that the South Korean people want to see a quick end to the strike, and ceasing the industrial action will help everyone.
Citing rising living costs due to inflation, the protesters initially demanded that DSME increase their wages by 30%. However, there has been a stalemate as DSME, majority controlled by the government through a 55.7% stake held by the Korea Development Bank, is offering an increment of just 4.5%.
Source: container-news.com