The practices of retirement after marriage are still here, being jointly promoted by Kumbokju and the Ministry of Employment and Labor!

- Press conference of labor and women groups for the abolition of discriminatory practices for married women workers with declaration of boycott for Kumbokju

On the 29th of March at 11:30 a.m., a priest punched a sign that reads retirement after marriage with his fist with all his strength in Gwanghwamun Square. It was a part of the press conference that Women and labor groups such as the Korea Women Workers Association and the National Women's Labor Union held in Gwanghwamun Square. It was held to condemn the Ministry of Employment and Labor for failing to supervise as well as to declare a nationwide boycott on Kumbokju, which has been forcing married female workers to retire for 58 years.

 

 The retirement due to marriage is still alive in our society despite our belief, at least in Kumbokju. Ms. A, who was working for the company was forced to retire after informing the company of her marriage. After she turned it down, an executive came and said that it was the company's practice to quit when a worker gets married. In fact, there are no married women workers among the white-collar workers in the company. The employers have operated the company in this way for 58 years since its founding without any sanctions. This was revealed when Ms. A appealed to the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

 

 This case created a big stir In Daegu. Local women 's groups called for apology and prevention of recurrence of the same practices in joint actions. Kumbokju made a superficial apology. During this process, Park Hong-koo, the CEO of the company, generated a bigger controversy by saying that the company didn’t recruit female workers because they weren’t necessary. The right of women workers to work regardless of their marital status is also specified in the Constitution and the Equal Employment Act. Also, Chapter 2 of the Equal Employment Act stipulates equal opportunities and treatment for men and women.

 

 Women's groups in Daegu will declare boycott campaign on Kumbokju and will hold a launching ceremony tomorrow. The women groups present in the press conference declared a nationwide boycott.

 

 Jin-kyung Bae, Co-representative of Korean Women Workers Association said that we are living in the era of regression. She commented that she wishes to live in a country where basic labor rights for women are ensured pointing out the fact that practice of forcing resignation to married women is still in place, which was supposed to have been abolished by the Equal Employment Act enacted on 1988.

 

 The Chairperson of National Women's Labor Union and Chairman, Ji Hyun Na said that no persons in the National Assembly and the government is taking responsibility for this matter. She claimed that it is caused by the Ministry of Employment and Labor since it has overlooked such practices for 58 years.

 

 The acting commissioner of the KCTU, Jong-jin Choi, openly declared that the 80,000 union members of the KCTU will take the lead for the boycott campaign against Kumbokju.

 

 The women and labor groups that hosted the press conference are planning to carry out nationwide boycott campaign against Kumbokju. They will show how companies that do not observe the business ethics can face difficulties in management. At the same time, they will ask for a meeting to the Ministry of Employment and Labor to demand an nationwide investigation on the violation of the Equal Employment Act with a focus on Seongseo Industrial Complex in Dague, where Kumbokju is located.

 

 

<Press conference statement>

 

 In 1985, women groups insisted on eliminating the retirement age for women. At that time, the average age of marriage for women was 26, which led to an assumption that they can stay in the labor market only until the age of 25. It was a fight against early retirement at the age of 25. The 1987 Act on the Equal Employment Act stipulates the right not to be discriminated due to marriage. Since then, the practices of women's early retirement have gradually disappeared in our society.

 

 Nevertheless in 2016, we are facing bizarre situations. The retirement due to marriage, which we thought already disappeared, was roaming like a ghost. It took place in Kumbokju, a major liquor company in Daegu. All female workers have been laid off after their marriage for 58 years since the establishment of the company. There is only one female worker who has been promoted for last 58 years. Corporate executives urged women workers to resign, saying that it was the customary of the company when female workers were refusing resignation after marriage. Certain female worker had to go through exemption from important tasks, unjustified transfer of the team and even group bullying. The situation is bitter, just like the taste of Soju, the strong alcohol of 30 percent proof.

 

 In Daegu, women groups are demanding to Kumbokju in great solidarity to apologize, prevent reoccurrence, eliminate gender discrimination and establish a system that can ensure sustainable work for women. Currently, these groups are participating in boycott campaign. boycott. However, the problem presents not only in Daegu. As Kumbokju is running its business throughout the country, boycotting needs to be conducted beyond Daegu. Today we declare the boycott against Kumbokju. We urge the employers of Kumbokju to build a sustainable environment for female workers as soon as possible.

 

 We were also surprised that this kind if “custom" had survived without any resistance for 58 years. It is also astonishing that the Ministry of Employment and Labor did not know it at all. Isn’t it that the Ministry of Employment and Labor actually a hidden supporter of the Kumbokju? The Ministry of Employment and Labor always says that they can not take measures until there are specific incidents. They send back women workers who want counselling for maternity leave, insisting that they can come again after the right is actually violated. Cases are dealt with mere formality rather than aiming for the prevention of problems. The case of Kumbokju was revealed by a report of a female worker who was forced resignation.

 

 But we know. One of the important roles of the Ministry of Employment and Labor is the supervision of work places, not just handling cases. We can also easily assume that the second and third cases similar to Kumbokju’s can be found elsewhere. The Ministry of Employment and Labor must thoroughly supervise whether there are companies that violate the Gender Equality Employment Act around the workplace of Kumbokju and beyond.

 

 We need to address this issue before any incident occurs. It is too late to wait until victims and their families suffer unnecessary agony. We are talking about the rights explicitly ensured by laws. Is it too much to expect to live in a country where basic rights are ensured?

 

 We demand the following:

- Build a system that allows women workers sustainable work as soon as possible!

- The Ministry of Employment and Labor must carry out a nationwide special investigation on violations of the Gender Equality Employment Act starting from Seongseo Industrial Complex!

 

 We also declare boycott of all products of the Kumbokju until the case is resolved.

 

March 29, 2016

Woman Labor Law Support Center, Women's Committee of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, National Women's Labor Union, Federation of Korean Trade Unions, Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, Korean Women Workers Union, Korean Women's Association United, Women Link