2002. 4
vol.27


cove story
Women demanding to reform the labor laws
related women workers, dressing up as pregnancy

Top 10
News of Women Workers in 2001

Bae, Jin-kyung● Public
Relations Officer, KWWAU

Reform Movements of the Labor Laws related women - Maternity
Leave 90 Days, Paid Childcare Leave, Reform of the Gender Equality Law,
etc

Diverse methods at a rally
calling for reform of women labor laws.

Participants appeared as
pregnant women (2001. 4. 23)

Everyone from the selection committee picked this struggle as one of the top
10 news of the year. It was a major struggle leading to the start of the
socialization of maternal protection costs. With the formation of the common
body for the reform of worker laws women, legal petitions were submitted and
over 100 statements

were released together with numerous rallies and active campaigns before
legislative passage by the National Assembly on July 18.

As a result, maternity leave was extended to 90 days, paid childcare leave
and reformed  Gender Equality Law went into effect on November 1, 2001.
The significance of the reformed law lies in the socialization of maternity
protection costs, the expansion of maternity protection and applicants for
childcare leave, the strengthening of the Gender Equality Law and the
regulations on sexual harassment, etc. Not all our demands were met but these
were the first steps for future changes. The rights achieved must be
implemented in the workplace and other benefits such as paid abortion leave,
paid maternity leave of the spouse, and family sick leave remain issues to be
furthered expanded.  

3 out of 4 Women In Irregular Work

There is a sharp increase in irregular work for women. What was 62.0% in 1997
rose to 65.9% in 1998, 69.5% in 1999, 73.3% in 2000, and 70.9% in 2001.
 The decrease in 2001 was due to the overall decrease of women workers
in 2000. However ompared to 2000,  there was an overall decrease of
142,000 women workers (168,000 regular workers lost their jobs but there was
an increase of 26,000 irregular workers).

Irregular women workers will continue to rise. Women workers continue to work
as irregular workers as they face severe unemployment and other disadvantages
caused by the sex discriminatory employment practices in the Korean labor
market. Also women who had temporarily left the labor force due to birth of
children or childcare face difficulties in getting re-employed as regular
workers.

Lotte Hotel Fined 30 Million Won - Reason For Not Taking Any
Punitive Action Against Sexual Harassment

The sexual harassment issues arising from the strikes at Hotel Lotte carried
the phrase "Hotel Lotte is even first-class in sexual harrassment." Out of
the 327 cases submitted by the union for investigation, it was found that 32
male staff personnel had harassed 68 women workers. The Hotel management took
punitive action against 22 of the accused perpetrators but delayed any action
against the remaining 10 people on the grounds that it might influence
the civil suits in process against them.

The victims filed a collective petition and on February 4, 2001, the Seoul
Regional Labor Office applied the Gender Equality Law on Hotel Lotte and
fined each of the 10 perpetrators 3 million won per person. This is the first
time such a fine was levied for not taking punitive action against the
perpetrators in a sexual harassment case. Fines have usually been levied when
sexual harassment prevention videos have not been shown.

Movement for the Increase of the Minimum Wage - Increase of
12.6% (hourly pay 2,100 won, monthly 474,600 won)

Launching ceremony of the
Committee to monitor

minimum wage violations (2001.
10. 23)

Due to the active campaigns calling for the increase in the minimum
wage, an increase of 12,6% was promised by the government instead of the
expected 2-3%. Signature-collecting drives, discussion campaigns, and other
measures were undertaken. These measures
were useful in publicizing the significance of the increase in the minimum
wage and the reality faced by women workers receiving minimum wages  y
increasing public awareness on the issue. Also, the campaign did not stop
with the increase in the minimum wage but continued with the launching of a
common monitoring team to report to the Ministry of Labor the workplace
violations in the practice of the minimum wage and called for measures to
overcome such unfair practices..

First Ever Collective Agreement by Golf
Caddies(88CC)

On July 12, the 88CC Golf Caddies Branch of the KWTU signed a collective
agreement with 88 Tourism Development Inc. This is the first ever collective
agreement signed by golf caddies and has very special significance for
specially-hired workers. Main contents of the agreement were
  recognition of the 88CC branch of the KWTU as the only
representative body for collective agreement, agreeing to discuss matters
related to golf caddies with the union  guaranteeing
union activities  prevention of sexual harrassment and measures against
perpetrators (including visitors)  permission to wear glasses and better
treatment for golf bag carriers  permission for union members to have
access to golf courses. The 88CC branch of the KWTU was formed on October 9,
1999 but was not recognised as workers as they were specially-hired and had
to undertake a long struggle. However, the 88CC branch, through continuous
organizational activities, managed to increased its membership to over
two-thirds of the golf caddies working at the 88 country club. After a long
struggle, they were able to overcome their status as specially-hired workers
and eventually signed a collective agreement.

Struggle to Achieve Labor Rights of Specially-hired
Workers

The active struggles by specially-hired workers against governmental refusal
to recognize them as workers was another big incident. Script writers,
reporters, and DJs formed a broadcasting station branch of the KWTU on August
26 to achieve their rights. A discussion on the three labor rights was held
in October and the consensus was reached that they have been completely
excluded from the application of the labor related laws and social insurance.
During the process, two script writers working at Myunhwa Broadcasting
Corporation (MBC), Daegu, were fired from their jobs with the start of the
new season of TV programs. On October 29, a debate on occupational diseases
by golf caddies was held showing the seriousness of the working conditions
and health problems of golf caddies. The following rally calling for the
achievement of labor rights and the application of the labor laws once agin
clearly showed the reality of golf course working conditions.
56 union members of Daeyong Rumina Country Club who have been fired and on
strike for over ten days, finally, achieved collective agreement with the
company and returned to work on December 18.

Publication of the [History of the Korean Women Workers'
Movement]

Publication anniversary, KANG, In-soon, YI, Ock-jie (2001. 10.
12)

The [History of the Korean Women Workers' Movement] has been finally
published in two volumes after four years' of research. The volumes were
planned by the KWWAU and written by LEE, Okjie and GANG, Insoon and contained
the history of the women workers' movement from the Japanese colonial days to
the 1990s.

The women workers' movement which had been veiled behind the truggles of male
workers in heavy industries has been published by undertaking interviews of
women in the field and through research into historical archives. Women
workers had played an important role in the history of the Korean labor
movement and the women workers' movement had been very active but had not
been properly evaluated.
And so the publication of the [History of the Korean Women Workers' Movement]
is very important in the re-evaluation of the women workers' movement.

KCTU Adopts 30% Women Quota

KCTU has passed a resolution to adopt a 30% women quota in all
decision-making processes. It was passed with the approval of 80.6% (340 out
of 422) of the participants on July 13. In future, the KCTU will reinstate
the quota in the election of officers (with the exception of the chairperson
and secretary-general). The time of reinstatement of the policy will be soon
determined.

Participation by women in decision-making bodies (as of July 2000) such as
the KCTU general assembly is 6.24%, central committee 6.97%, central standing
committee 4.34%, steering committee 0%, and with the exception of the rate of
women participation in the health and medical workers union, only 23.3% of
women worker participation
could be seen. Women unionists had long demanded a women quota system and the
passage of reformed regulations have allowed women to have more say and more
opportunities for organizational expansion. Also, the National Teachers'
Union on April 29 has finalized a 50% women quota in all decision-making
bodies.

Board of Gender Equality Decides `Marriage Retirement' of
Full-time Workers as Gender Discrimination

The Board of Gender Equality has decides that the practice of retirement upon
marriage and the re-employing of former full-time workers on a contract basis
as gender discrimination.

The Board on October 8 opened its Committee on the Reform of Gender
Discrimination and has announced that former full-time workers of
governmental agencies who were forced to leave their jobs upon marriage but
re-instated as contract workers doing the same type of work with lesser pay,
were victims of discrimination and decided as such all cases which were
petitioned

The Committee has decided that the employers pay 7 million won as
compensation and  prevention measures to be implemented.

Seoul High Court Upholds Union Membership of the
Unemployed

The Seoul High Court has rejected the appeal by the Seoul City overnment to
outlaw the union membership of unemployed people. The Seoul branch of the
KWWAU has petitioned for the annulation of the rejection against the
formation of the union and the Seoul High Court on September 19 announced
that "it is not fair that the establishment of a union be rejected due to the
inclusion of unemployed workers”and supported the KWWAU in the matter.


In 1999, the KWWAU which includes unemployed women in its membership has been
rejected by the Seoul City Government and has filed a petition against the
local government decision. The Seoul Administrative Court has in January
decided that "anyone living on some kind of a stipend can be recognized as
workers”and “anyone fighting to achieve collective rights and other labor
rights including unemployed people or people who are temporarily without jobs
as workers”, upholding union membership of unemployed people.

There have been many difficulties in the women workers' movement but
there have also been many achievements. Women workers will continue to fight
to achieve their rights to create a more equal world.

Results and Issues of the Labor Laws Related Women Reform Movements

Inha Uni. 35-Day Struggle for Employment Succession
-struggle by contracted women cleaners, Inha Uni. Inha College branch-

Hwang Yong-mi ● KWTU Incheon Branch, vice-president

Dispatching Branch President to Cleaning Apartments
9In 1999, the services company unilaterally changed its mode of contract to the system of annual wages. And said that severance pay and bonuses as promised on recruitment are all included in the annual wages. This meant that severance pay and family allowances were all contained in the monthly salary of 500,000 won. The severance pay promised was unilaterally done away with.
Some people who left the company had filed a petition to the local labor office to receive their overdue severance pay and it was only then that people found out severance pay must be paid even in the system of annual wages. Then the company changed from the annual wage system (with severance pay) to the system of monthly wages and pressured people to sign a contract with a 30,000 won deduction from meal benefits. CHOI, Ok-soon (the president of the branch) refused to sign and the company dispatched Ms Choi to clean apartments as a retaliatory measure.
This was an unfair measure against Ms Choi and she promptly contacted the student body asking them for help who in turn contacted the KWTU. "We need to form a union but don't know how and so I just ran for help to the student body. That's when I knew that the KWTU existed.."  

The Emotional Formation of the Branch Union
The branch union was formed on October 24, 2001. "This is still like a dream and not reality. We have been recruited as a cleaners some 10. 13. and 17 years ago, and most of workers are in their 50s and some in their 60s. We never thought we would see a day like this. People have to live long. We all thought that unions are for people working in big companies and for younger people. I never thought I would become part of a union," said the oldest woman, with a bright smile, her face lined with the wrinkles of hard work. The inauguration of the union was followed with the election of the president of the union and its officers, with more congratulatory messages from the students of the university. It had not been an easy inauguration because most of the women feared some kind of retaliation from the company.
 
Payment of overdue wages and bonuses
The negotiations with the company on overdue wages and severance pay were not easy. The company complained that their service fees received from the university were small and put off payments to a later date. The company refused to reimburse the meal fees that were deducted. After the failure of the 5th negotiations, union members decided to put on 'irregular workers' vests' and do their work. This struggle ended in 5 minutes but attracted much attention from the school. The company decided to settle all overdue wages, severance pay with a 200% bonus and meal payment of 20,000 won. We struggled together against the company and achieved our demands, something that was unthinkable before the formation of the union, even though we had been working for the same company for over 10 years.

Struggle Against Contract Cancellations
After the formation of the union, the union members worked harder than ever. It was a severe winter and the women worked hard clearing the snow and undertook all kinds of menial duties without complaint. However, as the date of contract renewals drew near, the contracting company Juyong Co. Ltd, set up a new company under a different name (in the name of the wife of the current CEO) and fired two workers in charge of the dormitories. And sent out contract expiration notices to the remaining 34 workers. At first everyone it was a customary gesture. However, setting up a false services company and then sending contract expiration notices meant only one thing - the intention of the company to dissolve the union. A woman worker who had worked for 18 years said, "I have always worked even when the company changes hands. I have never received contract expiration notices. I have never been fired when my contract expired. The important thing is work. What do the mean by firing me?"
The two workers who got fired on the basis of 'work negligence' were known as very hardworking people, even receiving compliments from the university authorities. They have never took a day off from work for 7 years. Other union members have signed a new contract with the new company. The union requested a meeting but the chauffeur of the president of the company came out and said, "the president sees no necessity to meet." A few days ago, the president of Juyong Co. Ltd., had promised employment succession but under the new company in his wife's name, he refused to meet with the union.

35-day struggle under the hot sun
The struggle  to go back to work started the next day of the dismissal. Union members wore 'irregular worker vests' and worked. Ms Choi who worked only for half a day was forced to do work amounting to a day's work. She started her work very early in the morning to finish her work and in the afternoon, immersed herself in union activities.
Union members held a rally during lunch time at the main entrance to the university. Everyone was self-conscious at first and could not even shout their slogans but after a while, they could speak for 20 to 30 minutes in the rallies. It was indeed a tremendous change.
The women wore their vests even under the hot sun. It was very difficult for the women to open rallies every day when the temperatures were over 35 degrees. The women went to the university authorities for help but to no avail. They were all thrown out of the office.
The women were angered at such treatment and vowed not to let the matter rest. Petitions were handed out to the students and rallies continued in front of the main headquarters of the university. Students who had staged a sit-in struggle at the dean's office were promised that the university would guarantee the employment succession of the women workers. The students
fought side by side with the women workers from the very beginning.
On the 35th day of the struggle, the university authorities cancelled its contract with the services company and the new services company brought in promised that all women workers would be reinstated to their jobs. The Incheon branch of the KWTU and members of the student body witnessed the signing of the new contract. Union members threw off their vests and hugged each other in happiness. All union members shouted in victory and the two women workers who had been fired wept tears of relief.

Increase the Minimum Wage!
- Results and Remaining Issues of the Movement for the Increase of the Minimum Wage -

 Bae Jin-kyung ● KWWAU, public relations officer

 On July 20 last year, the Minimum Wage Commission decided on the minimum wage to be applied from September to August next year - 2,100 won per hour, 474,600 won a month, an increase of 12.6% from the previous year. It was a surprise since only about 2~3% increase was expected. This is due to the activities of the Action Center for Irregular Women Workers' Rights in solidarity with other organizations. It started with a survey in April of contract women workers with campaigns and signature-collection drives in all regions.

Signature Collections of 10,488 People
On May 23, `the 10,000 signature-collection drive for the increase of the minimum wage' started. The drive was aimed to increase citizen awareness and participation and to publicize the issue. As a result, 10,488 people signed the petition. The signatures were submitted to the Minimum Wage Commission  on July 11, a good opportunity to show the urgency of the matter.

Debate on the reality of contract women workers
On June 8, the debate on the reform measures on the minimum wage problem from the perspective of irregular workers was held. The debate was held on the survey carried out regionally on contract women workers. The survey revealed the ugly reality of these women workers. 22.9% of these women workers were receiving less than the legal minimum wage of 421,490 won and 1/3 of those interviewed said that they were heads of households. In the debate, the unrealistic minimum wage system was pointed out to have been solidifying the low wages of women workers. Demands were put forward for the reform of the review standards of the minimum wage, making the minimum wage meet realistic standards, participation of irregular workers in the review  process, strengthening government supervision, the expansion of the concept "user-employers", etc.
KIM, Soo-gon (the head of the Minimum Wage Commission) said that "I agree that the standard age for the application of the minimum wage must be raised,”and also that “the increase of the minimum wage is too minimal to be really effective.”The debate was attended by about 140 women workers.

National Inauguration of the campaign to increase the minimum wage (June 25, 2001)

Campaign in 10 Cities
There were campaigns calling for the increase in the minimum wage in 10 cities (Seoul, Incheon, Gwangju, Masan, Changwon, Busan, North Cholla Province, Ansan, Bucheon, Daegu, Daejon) from May to July. The campaigns were held once monthly, publicizing the need for the increase in the minimum wage to the public and workers. On June 25, a special rally was held to commemorate the start of the national campaign. This rally is the first of its kind since the birth of the Minimum Wage Commission. Ms Choi, Ok-soon, the head of the Inha University Union Branch of the KWTU revealed the reality of cleaning ladies who received a monthly wage of 420,000 when half of them were heads of households and called for the guarantee of wage increase to allow basic living.

Actions Against the Minimum Wage Commission
Publicity campaigns were carried out together with actions against the Minimum Wage Commission. A position paper was submitted calling for the increase of the minimum wage to a realistic level. The signatures of 10,488 were also submitted along with a letter to the head of the Minimum Wage Commission. The two letters to the head of the Minimum Wage Commission written from the perspective of women workers were very persuasive. A press conference was also held by the Action Center for Irregular Workers' Rights, Interviews with members of the Commission were also held.

Contention Between the Commission Members
The Minimum Wage Commission consists of 9 labor representatives and 9 representatives from the public sector. There was contention over the minimum wage standards between the members of the Commission, the labor representatives asking for  2,837 won per hour while the representatives from the public sector proposing 1,930 won per hour. On July 5, the public representatives proposed 1,941 per hour, on July 12, the labor representatives proposed 2,270 won per hour. Finally on July 20, after more compromises, the two sides submitted their final proposals of 2,100 won (labor) and 2,060 won (public). The proposals were voted on and the proposal submitted by the labor representatives was adopted with a difference of only vote.

The increase in the minimum wage was possible due to the efforts outlined. The campaigns are especially important not only because of the increase in wages but also for increasing the public awareness of the issue such as the reality of the minimum wage, how it is computed, and why it is important. Furthermore, the reality of the workers were also revealed. Monitoring activities will be carried out in the workplace to see if the minimum wage standards are observed properly.

For A World With Equal Treatment

Doh, Jae-geum ● head of the Kyongbok University Branch Union, Daegu Branch of the KWTU

A Hard Life
I was the only daughter in the family and I grew up with four other brothers. I thought I could reach for the skies and achieve anything but what a life this has been!
Whoever made my life this way? I was only 25 when I moved to Gumi with my husband who was a government employee. My husband started his own business and died when I was 38. I tried to run the business but failed. I moved to Daegu in 1984 with my three young children and started from scratch,
I had to work everyday. Because my children had to eat. I worked as a cleaning lady in a rice refinery, as a private nurse and again as a cleaning lady. I have been paying my pension since the national pension fund has been introduced but I would only be getting only 19,700 won a month after the age of 65. How am I going to survive?

There is still hope left
I lived very frugally and so I could feed my children. I only paid for the university entry fees and my two sons paid their way through the university. My children grew up well despite the hardship. It always pains me to think of my daughter who I could not afford to send to the university.
My daughter married five years ago and my eldest son is getting married soon. I felt that I could still work at the age of 58 and asked for an extension of the retirement age but was refused. Last July, I met with the KWTU and asked if I could get an extension if I joined the union.

The union is my greatest pride
I suffered much after I started the union but I kept in mind what my son told me -  “Mother, you have not done much good to other people in your life so far. You have nothing to be afraid of. If everything goes right, them you have a few more years to work and if something goes wrong, then you can just leave." Of course, everything could not have been possible without the help of the KWTU.
The formation of the Kyongbok University Branch Union  is the pride of my life. I have lived more than I would live in the future but now I feel as if I am living a second life.

For a World That Treats People Equally
With the formation of the union, we received bonuses for the first time in our work as cleaning workers. We received better treatment and our retirement age was extended to 63. In our upcoming contract renewal in 2002, it is possible that we would be categorized as daily workers and cleaners in charge of big campus buildings (libraries, science buildings) might be directly employed. The night sentry guards were strengthened by the formation of our union and formed a maintenance union themselves.

A Happy
Sewing Machine Worker

- Park, Nam-hee, KWTU 2nd
Organizational Officer -

Park, Min-na ● Working Women,
editorial staff

Curiosity Due to A Strong
Confidence

Ugh! It is the year 2002. I used to say that I was afraid of time passing and
the turning of the calender sounds like thunder. I asked director, PARK
Nam-hee, who is in her forties, how she felt and she said ‘hmm...’I don't
wonder she has always been so steadfast like a rock.  

I can still feel the intensity of the struggles in the field where she spent
most of the twenties. Her clear voice makes her the best choice as a
moderator of rallies. I was curious about the distinctive confidence
emanating from director Park.

“Do I look confident (laughs)? The truth is,
the present situation of my union requires more abilities than I can give and
I have been reflecting on myself a great deal. The unions are really
important to women workers but for me, it is just a way of life. I try to do
my best. Working is just like playing. So I am happy everyday
(laughs).”

Difficult But A Happy Childhood

I thought that her confidence came from her positive character but she said
that it is because she most probably resembled her mother. She was the
youngest of five children. Her father was bedridden with a stroke for many
years. How to eat and live was entirely up to her mother. Her mother worked
at every job she could find but never showed any of her emotions from her
children. So, the young Nam-hee grew up carefree and happy.

“I remember we used to have more noodles made
from the flour given out by the local government office instead of rice. My
sisters who graduated from elementary school were all working in factories in
Seoul.
I was just happy playing with the kids in the neighborhood. I think I was too
young to know what poverty is.”

Even when fleeing from the debts which had been piling in the middle
of the night to Seoul where her sisters were working, she was happy because
the family, with the exception of the oldest sister who was married, was
together again and lived in a single room.

Feeling the burdens of living

Park Nam-hee was happy in her new school in Seoul but owing to her
mother's over-generosity to other people, she could not pay her school fees.

“I met a terrible teacher in the 5th Grade.
he used to sent me back home if I went to school without my school fees. But
where would the money come from? So I pretended I was going to school at home
but decided not to go to school. Mother found out and told me to go but I
decided not to
go, knowing full well the circumstances of the family. However, I met a good
teacher in the 6th Grade and graduated.”

She started feeling the burdens of life when she saw children of her
age in school uniforms. When she was 18, she started working in an underwear
factory.

“It was a two-storey building with living
quarters on the top floor and a factory in the basement. Other than a
40-minute lunch break, I worked and ate in the factory in the midst of the
dust and that was when I first felt the burdens of life. I wanted to get out
of the dire poverty I was in. I then made up  my mind that the only way
I could overcome my problem is through studying. I found out a night school
where I could study.”

However, the night school had been transformed from one focussing on
university entry to a labor-issue oriented night school after the May 18
Gwangju democratic movement. She thought she was really going to receive some
education this time but all she heard was about someone called Jeon Tae-il (a
worker who self-immolated
calling for the observance of the standard labor laws) and labor- issues. She
even protested as to why she was not being taught anything. She was 19 and
very eager to study.

“Once I made my teacher cry. I asked them to
live as a worker and work 12 hours a day before telling me about
labor-issues. I was over-excited and shouted and my teacher could not speak a
word but just cried. I hated my reality of working 12 hours a day and eating
cold lunches in the dusty workrooms. And I took it out on my poor
teacher.”

For the creation of a Livable World for People

Although she wanted more than anything to live better, she could not shut her
eyes and ears to the ugly and twisted world around her which oppressed
workers with such injustice. Park Chung-hee's dictatorial regime of 18 years'
had ended but the shadow of the military was still prevalent and illicit
surveillance was rampant in the workplace. Her night school teachers were
arrested by the
police and the school broke up into smaller groups.

“One day, we read some photocopied materials
about Jeon Tae-il and I think that was when I started changing a bit. I never
thought I would turn out like this (laughs). I read a lot, followed debates,
went to plays performed by other night schools, learnt about labor history
and philosophy.
I realized that I was changing completely.”

That was when she realized that a more livable world for people,
where workers can live humanely, must be created. In 1983, the Guro
Industrial Complex was the center of the labor movements. It had a long
history and was continuously fostering the growth of future labor activists.


As soon as  she realized what and why she had to fight for, Park Nam-hee
entered a clothing factory as a sewer in the Guro area.

“I suffered at first because  my hands
were too slow. But my weapon was my persistence (laughs). I worked hard no
matter what and soon received recognition for my diligence. I met some really
good people. We formed groups and later joined a guitar class at the
Youngdeung-po Industrial Mission Church. I also formed a reading group as
well as a eating group. Oh, it. seems like we only played, didn't we
(laughs)?”

Of
course, it was not all play. It was how people otherwise alone in this world,
came to depend on each other in friendship and trust. Then, things started
happening.

Struggle Against Dismissal For Over A Year

On March 10, 1985, one of her co-workers who had been a college student was
dismissed from work when the management found them coming out of a labor
rally.

A rally protesting the dismissal was held on April 26 in the company
cafeteria and 11 more were dismissed and a year struggle for reinstatement
started.

“I don't know why I went around getting
beaten in those days (laughs). The reinstatement struggle meant getting
beaten every morning. We were locked up in the General Affairs office and hit
over the heads, ankles twisted, spat on and other things I can't speak of.
About 4 or 5 dismissed men workers would be forcibly taken away in vans and
thrown away in far remote places. We had to receive hospital treatment for
head injuries at one time. Our parents were threatened by saying that we were
Communists. My mother flatly refused to believe what they were telling her
and told them off. They never bothered her again.”

Blacklisted & Continuing Dismissals

Park Nam-hee was one of the victims blacklisted in the mid-1980s. After 3
months of work in a factory, evidence was found that Park had been dismissed
before and she was pressured to resign from her work and was severely beaten.
She felt that she was unfairly treated and protested against her dismissal
every morning.
In the end, she felt that it was unnecessary to struggle every morning and
left her job.

“I got three more jobs but was dismissed soon
after. I realized that I could no longer work in the Guro Industrial Complex
and moved to Doksan-dong. It was different there. While we were struggling in
Guro, workers in Doksan-dong worked. So if the Guro Industrial Complex needed
more organizational strength, it must succeed in organizing other nearby
industrial areas.”

Burying First Love In My Heart

While she was working in a clothing factory in Doksan-dong, Park Nam-hee had
organized a hiking club with some men workers from a machinery factory. One
day in 1987, she was arrested along with other workers in a rally. All were
released soon after and because of an appointment,,she had gone straight from
the police station to a friend's house.

“I went to my friend's house but found
another person there. I was happy to see him  smiling brightly at me. He
was a former teacher of mine in night study and was a good person, liked by
everyone. I always thought I would like a single life as a labor activist but
during our three years' relationship, I thought of marriage at times
(laughs). We went our separate ways but memories of the first love remains. I
experienced the pain of separation, so it was good for me after all!
(laughs)”

I
suppose memories of first love were good because her expression changed and I
saw hints of lovely memories hidden in her heart.

Valuable Friends

In 1988, ‘Makers of Clothing’was formed and a cultural event was held once
annually. Members were all graduates of the sewing room of Martyr Park
Yong-Jin Memorial Project who had gathered together after a clothing
exhibition and continued to hold events.

“About 15 of us gathered in 1991 and formed
the Southern Regional Promotion Committee of the Cheonggye Clothing Labor
Union. We felt that ‘Makers of Clothing’was a more popular name and carried
out more activities under that name. I was working in a clothing factory but
left to take position
as the head of the Committee for three years. I gave my mother whatever money
I had in my possession and informed her that I would be able to give her
anymore money. We received no outside aid and managed to cover all costs
through membership fees. We were happy because we knew how to help each
other. It was a difficult
time but was also very worthwhile.”

However, in 1991, she was hit by a tear gas canister and had to
received hospital treatment for burns for 18 days. The scars on her chest and
both arms still remind her of that day. Members of `Makers of Clothing’were
there to serve her every need and even her own family members were impressed
by the loyalty of her colleagues.
However, the high medical fees became a problem.

“I wanted to leave the hospital but all
Committee members were away and there was no one who could help me with the
hospital fees. It was really troubling. Finally, members of‘Makers of
Clothing’came up with some money and the rest I borrowed from my sister. For
the first time in my
life I wondered if that was the right way to live. Similar things might
happen again and I realized that I had to fend for myself. It was useless to
do other things when I could not even look after myself."

Identity As a Woman, Working with women workers
movement

She had never realized herself as a woman until she started working at the
women workers movement. She was entering her thirties and many of her friends
were settling down and she felt a need for change. She realized that she
needed to see herself as a woman. Otherwise  remaining only as a worker
without future prospects would be difficult. She knew then the importance of
the role of the KWWAU and became a member, In 1996, she was offered a
full-time job and worked as vice-director of organizational activities for
over  a year.

Park Nam-hee felt that she had been living a narrow life and once again, she
felt that her solution would be through academic studies. She later passed
the entrance qualification examinations for both high school and the
university. In 1997, she wanted to continue her studies more and left the
Seoul Women Workers Association.

Philippines, Park Nam-hee
(second from right) (June 10, 2000)

“I was looking around for private tutoring
institutions when I heard the news that my brother was suffering from brain
cancer. I had never been close to my brother but then I realized what a
difficult life he had led as the only son in the family. All the
responsibilities laid on his shoulders. I think that was the first time I
became a filial daughter to my
mother. I looked after my brother alone and did all his bidding until he died
elevens months later. My mother was devastated but I was sad, too. I wondered
why I should live and why I should study. In the midst of all this,
chairperson Rhie Chol Soon, offered me the opportunity of studying in the
Philippines. I spent 2 years and 8 months abroad.”

Overseas Study in the Philippines, then to the
KWTU

In March 1998, Park Nam-hee started in an English language program and went
on to finish her studies in social science with funding received from the
KWWAU as part of funds supporting Third World countries. Her English ability
unstable from the beginning did not become perfect but she adapted well to
the life in the Philippines and gave her new energy.

She returned on January 21 2001 and started working as the director of
organizations second division of the KWTU. I wondered how she had spent her
first year in her position.

“There were many difficulties. I realize it
was the time to work so I didn't have any worries. I was happy to work. It
was difficult to understand the IMF crisis as I was not in the country. There
was an increase in irregular work and there has been many changes. I was
really happy working. It was so worthwhile working with union members and
branch unions especially with the formation of the 88 Country Club Branch
Union and subsequent victory during collective bargaining. The only thing
remaining is how many members would participate in union activities. It was
good to see union members changing. I realize how important the role of
women's unions and I am happy to be part
of it. I want to do my best in all that I do.”

Hotline for Equality in 2001- increase in unemployment counseling by irregular workers & maternity protection -

Pro-Women Proposals for the Empowerment of Women Workers

Lee, Ju-hwan ● Secretary-General, Korean Women's Trade Union

1. Research Background

As of July 2001, 49.6% of women are involved in some form of economic activity, this being 41.4% of the total population who undertake some of economic activity and 41.7% is the rate of women in the total work force.*
However, even though the number of women in the workforce is big, women are still being marginalized and pressured into irregular work.
Although the importance of organizing women workers has been stressed, there has been no progress in the debate for finding methods for organizing. Accordingly, the development of organizational methods, culture and environment for organizing irregular women workers must be brought forward.

2. General Characteristics of Women Workers in the Process of Organization

To organize women workers, the reality of the women's lives, their social experience, interests, values, attitudes towards their lives, their required roles and other general characteristics of women must be taken into consideration and how these characteristics be reflected during the organization of these women.
Some notable general characteristics of women workers in the research can be summarized as follows:

□ Importance of relationships.
“We all talked about how we had lived our lives and this was not easy. We have our pride and we don't want to look bad. We sat round talking about our lives and after you listen to other people talk, you change your mind. I was not the only one having a difficult time. So after just one meeting, we all became very good friends (Kwon Soon-hee).”
As the work delegated to women were poorly paid with little chances of promotions and considered miniscule, women concentrated more on social relationships in the workplace rather than trying to increase knowledge or skills needed for work promotions. According to organizers at Harvard university, most women build relationships and consider maintaining such relationships with importance and use these relationships as a strategy. This led to the successful building of a strong union in the university where almost all clerical workers were female.

□ Difference in Resolving Tensions and Strife - Importance in maintaining relationships
At the advent of tension or strife within an organization, men leaders will try to suppress such tension while women leaders will try to compromise, in favor of all the parties involved. So in terms of tension or strife, women do not stress the principles and regulations only but prefer to find ways to maintain relationships and select ways beneficial to everyone. Such characteristics of women appear as flexible methods of struggle.  

Debate on the Women-Friendly Organizational Methods (Aug. 29. 2001)

□ Working Women, Mother, Wife, Daughter - Multiple identities
“Women are interested in union activities, rallies, events, etc but what they are really interested in is things like‘she just had a baby.’Knowing more concrete details about union members means more sharing. (Kim Mi-sook).”
Men have the tendency to identify themselves with their work but women tend to accept not only their role as workers but also other diverse roles as mothers, wives, daughters, etc. So to organize women, the reality of women and their lifestyles must be reflected and methods use to break down barriers between the private and the public spheres in their lives.

□ Preference of close relationships
“I first thought of the union as a place which resolves labor relations and to go to if I face problems. But now, it is a place where I can go and exchange opinions about problems in the workplace as well as in the society. (Kim Mi-sook).”
Generally, women show the tendency of preferring informal and close relationships. Women have been socialized from a young age in small groups and feel more comfortable about sharing their stories in such an environment. So it is important in the process of organizing women workers, to create an environment where women can make their voices heard on every day matters.

□ Difference in Leadership - Organizing from the Center
“In reality, there is an organizational structure but everything is decided through discussions. It's not like as if there are different people for making decisions and different people for carrying them out. I realized what working together is through our discussions. I realized that I was an important part of the union (Kim Mi-sook).”
According to a research by Sally Helgesen in 1990, women lead not from the top but from the center. That is, the leader remains at the center linking different teams together. Hierarchy is not important but connections are. So in the case of women, emphasizing such points would be significant. Furthermore, women who shy away from leadership roles must be trained to carry out bigger roles of leadership representation.

□ Organization needed for building self-esteem and influence
“I think it was at last March 8 Women's Day rally. I made the pickets and brought them to the rally. Everyone praised me for the pickets, wondering how I could have made them on my own. Everyone said something nice and it really help me boost my self-esteem on hearing those comments. Now I really like doing things (Moon Gyong-sook).”
People who have been organizing women have discovered that women with lower social status and little influence often suffer from hopelessness and a low self-esteem. It is important that such hopelessness and low self-esteem be overcome.  So it is important for women, blacks, homosexuals, and native peoples to build up their inner strength to be organized and to make their voices heard. A positive self-esteem and self confidence must be developed. This inner strength will not remain within but will help other people through social interactions and expand into social and political actions. So, the strategy for increasing self-esteem and developing abilities to foster the growth of group influence is an important step in the organization of women.

3. Characteristics of the Activities of the KWTU

The KWTU encompasses many of the general characteristics of women outlined in the above. Such characteristics can be noticed in the review of the two-year activities of the KWTU in efforts to maximize the organization of women.
Due to unemployment instability and the status of workers due to frequent job transfers, individual union members find it difficult to become a continuing part of groups according to occupation, issues or branches. So the structure and contents of meetings or groups must become flexible to meet such circumstances and diverse programs and events like‘Union Member's Day' , ‘Union Member's Camp’, ‘campaigns’, `outings’, `sports meets’, etc, must be held to enhance member participation.
On operational matters, work is divided among members. It is important to support and make members realize that the roles they are undertaking are important. For example at the members' camp prepared by the Steering Committee of the Incheon branch, all preparations such as recreation, food preparation, car rentals, post-party cleaning up were equally divided among members. And at the 2001 general meeting, prizes were given to members. Prizes were given out not in the order of position but for active members who had contributed their time and effort to the union, for example, the prize for increasing union members, prize for best decorating efforts, prize for best cooking, prize for volunteering, prize for being together, etc, giving recognition and encouragement for different roles played.
It has been pointed out that multiple identities and a lack of self-esteem are some of the characteristics of women.
The KWTU has carried out the following three strategies to overcome such problems.
First, self-discovery and open programs are underway. The `Basic Small Group Program' consists of 4 lectures and is a training program of self-discovery and openness. This program helps to smoothen awkwardness and to enhance understanding among new union members.
Second, the sharing of everyday life which is formally undertaken in all small groups and branch steering committees. Such sharing opens up the daily lives of the members and formalizes any problems. So it is not `separate lives, separate workplace stories, or separate stories of childraising’in the unions but a common place for sharing personal stories and receiving encouragement and support.
Third, the operation of family-conscious programs. One of the best projects of the KWTU is the program which integrates the participation of children. In the case of educational programs which require the attendance of all the union members, caregivers is invited to look after the children. In the case of participation in sleep-over programs, a union officer will provide housing and volunteers will look after the children.
Such programs help union members to lessen their burdens of childcare and enhance participation in union activities and deepen concentration of the participants.

4. Issues

In the process of organizing women workers, women specific characteristics must be recognized and women-friendly policies, organizational methods and culture must be systematized and expanded.
To increase the organizational rate of women workers, unions and national-level umbrella unions are actively pursuing a quota system for women in the de챠sion-making processes. However. it is only the National Teachers' Union and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions which have adopted a women's quota system as its official policy. According to Ms Jung, Yong-sook, of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions it would not be easy to achieve such a quota system in a short time as it meant that certain privileges held by full-time workers must be given up and also that it was difficult to organize irregular women workers.
However, the reality is that organizing women workers cannot be put off any longer. The organizing of irregular workers is considered in the labor movements as an issue that must be addressed immediately. Actions must be undertaken to link realistic alternatives to organizing. As noted in the above, women-friendly organizational policies and culture are not only applicable to women workers but to all levels. However, this research has been based only on the cases studies of the KWTU and the application of such policies might be adequate and so individual organization must come up with policies and methods specific to their organizations.

* According to the data on employment trends from the Department of Statistics in July 2001, of the total population in economic activity was 22,520,000 persons, 9,328,000 persons were women (4.4%) and 13,192,000 (58.6%) persons were men. Of the 21,760,000 people employed, 9,076,000 persons (41.7%) were women and 12,684,000 persons (58.3%) were men.