I am glad to share with you the annual plan of the KWWAU where I will be working as a representative. We will do our best, both in strength and in enthusiasm, to be a friend of every working woman in this nation, and to work for the development of women and society.
The strengthening of regional organizations with the establishment of local government!
Last year, with the upcoming elections for local government, the KWWAU actively tried to enforce the selection of women workers' demands such as the expansion of childcare facilities, and the operation of a school lunch system into the election pledges while making progress on policy discussions about the counter activities of the women labor movement.
- The "phone of equality" leading in the realization of equal employment
Since last September, the regional women labor association has opened and operated the 'Phone of equality' consultation office. The basis of eliminating sexual discrimination is, I believe, equal employment. Therefore, to carry out our activities more positively and professionally, the KWWAU will focus on the "phone of equality" and work hard on countermeasure policies on equality during 1996. We will especially focus on the systematization of and the provision of counselling for temporary women workers who do not receive basic workers' rights.
- Expansion of vocational training for the improvement of the capacities of women
With the 21st century fast approaching, the century of information and technology, women workers cannot remain as minimum wage laborers with low-skilled jobs. Now, working women strongly wish to have a professional lifelong career.
Considering this, the KWWAU will unite with each regional women workers' association to investigate the state of acknowledged vocational training centers within the company, and to draw up plans on the development of women's occupations, encouraging the re-employment of married women and planning specific alternative policies on the expansion of women's vocational training.
- Research Activities
Last year, the KWWAU did a study on the introduction of new technology and women's employment, industrial restructuring and women labor, the practical and legal guarantee of maternity protection, and women's employment security, and published a research report.
This year, the KWWAU has decided that it is impossible to solve women's labor problems without the presentation of a general alternative plan on the women labor in the structure of the labor market. The KWWAU is planning to open a forum on the 'Model of the Korean Women labor market' as a memorial event in the March 8th International Woman's day.
Also we are investigating the situation of temporary working women and we are carrying out research on an alternative policy plan. We are also planning to open a forum on childcare policies with the evolution of a few models of childcare facilities within the company and to open a co-operative assembly for the realization of childcare facilities to prepare more specific activity plans.
- Counter activities on the Government's Women labor policies
1995 could be referred to as the year where not only the women workers' associations, but also women organizations and labor unions worked together as one against women labor policies. The revision of the equality law movement, the opposition to the establishment of dispatched law movement and the opposition to the announcement of the unpaid menstruation leave policy are good examples of our activities. In addition, we presented a policy plan for action on women related issues within the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) .
1996 can be seen as a year demanding political counter actions. The framing of protection policies for part time workers and home based workers, the still current issue of dispatch law, the practical and legal guarantee of maternity protection, the improvement of employment security and the revision of labour related laws are still pressing subjects in need of confrontation.
To solve these problems, the KWWAU believe that the counter activities and positive action on women issues in democratic labor union circles is vital, and we hope that this year will bring good outcomes through strong solidarity of the labor unions and women organizations.
- Activities for the protection of human rights of foreign women workers
The KWWAU's new issue for 1996 is its plan for activities for the protection of human rights of foreign women workers. The KWWAU, who joined and worked in a united preparation committee for an event for the guarantee of foreign workers' rights in October, strongly felt the necessity for further active work on foreign women workers' problems. Therefore we are planning to provide counselling for foreign women workers, to investigate their situations and to find solutions to their problems.
I will end here with the assurance that the KWWAU will continue its tradition of leading the working women's movement and sharing in the pain of working women in 1996. Dear readers! May you remain healthy, work hard, and live happily in the year to come!