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SESSION FIVE: RESPONDING TO GLOBALISATION

• When: 18:00-21:00, 21 April 1999
• Where: conference room in KLSI

1) We discussed the similarities and differences of the effects of globalization on workers and trade unions (especially the economic crisis).

• Similarity: deepening of economic inequality, job instability and massive dismissal due to the management rationalization and trade liberalization, decline of union density, weakening of trade union organization, economic deregulation and privatization in public sector.

• Difference: The government is trying to build social security system better than ever before. Early this year, National Pension system was formed. Unemployment Insurance system was improved more or less than before. As the Korean TNC such as Daewoo, Hyundai, LG, KIA has expanded their market to take profits toward overseas countries such as India, Indonesia, Poland, China, Vietnam, etc, the Korean trade unions has started to widen their views and eyes to international community, especially the Third World countries.

2) And then we discussed Organizing in TNCs as follows:

• It is important to make close connections and relationships between unions in head office in home country and unions in overseas subsidiary company. For example, trade unions in Hyundai Motors or Daewoo Motors should get their concerns about the labor situation and workers’ rights in overseas their subsidiary companies and construct solid solidarity with overseas unions.

• Communication and support between the national centers (central unions) is urgent. Korean national center such as KCTU and FKTU should exchange information and communication on TNCs with other countries’ national centers such as ACTU (Australia).

• Trade unions in related countries should put a joint pressure to TNCs and governments to adopt the collective agreements which recognize the workers and unions’ basic rights.

• We make an standard agreement to recognize the organizing and activity of trade unions in subsidiary companies with TNC’s head office.

• We should demand TNCs to adopt the comprehensive Standard Agreement covering all the subsidiaries in cooperation with local unions.

• We should organize education program such as study circle for rank & file members and union officers and union activists as many as possible. Through education activity, we should try to make workers and unionists more conscious, more sensitive to the society and world.

• When: 19:00 – 21:00, 15 May 1999
• Where: conference room in KLSI

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