2nd Labor Forum held: "How to obtain equal pay for work of equal value legally"

Subsequently after addressing equal pay for work of equal value enhancing systems in the US and UK in the 1st forum, on July 3, 2008, the 2nd Labor Forum looked at "how to obtain equal pay for work of equal value legally."

Professor Kim Ellim (working for Korea National Open University) brought up  topics for discussion about legal history of equal pay for work of equal value stipulated in the Equal Employment Act; equal pay for work of equal value stipulated in international conventions; related regulations and precedents in major foreign countries; and related regulations and precedents in Korea. 1989 marked for the first time when the principle of equal pay for work of equal value was stipulated. However, there are no detailed regulations or guidelines to put the principle in force, and it is just an established rule that government officers in charge refer to for their fulfillment. The established rule has not been amended yet. In 1999 the first case (a lawsuit instituted by cleaners working at the Yonsei University) regarding equal pay for work of equal value was brought before the court, but they failed. In 2003, it was the first time when gender discrimination was admitted to be socially prevalent, bottomed upon the principle of equal pay for work of equal value. Professor Kim evaluated disputes and future tasks regarding standards of equal pay for work of equal value and its application methods have been generated, since the 2003's precedent did not carry out job evaluation method neither provided detailed analysis basis in terms of judging equal pay for work of equal value.

In addition, Professor Kim suggested a guideline for the application of equal pay for work of equal value. In the US and EU where equal pay for work of equal value are actively carried out, guidelines and handbooks regarding the principle are well-prepared to consolidate its effectiveness. However, in the Korean society, only the Equal Employment Act regulating the principle of equal pay for work of equal value exists, not its detailed regulations nor guidelines. Therefore, essential and necessary are independent guidelines to make detailed application of the principle in Korea.

Amid the tough situation in which women irregular workers account for 70% out of all women workers, a participant pointed out the limitation of the equal pay for work of equal value related regulation, because there is the decreasing number of male workers 'in the same workplaces,' who can be compared with women workers in practice. Professor Kim answered that gradual enforcement of the principle is needed because the principle of equal pay for work of equal value is not kept nor raised in applying the principle to similar jobs where the principle should have been originally put in force. However, she also mentioned we should consider job evaluation based on seniority rather than emphasizing only class of workers' positions.

The 2nd Labor Forum was a primary source of our looking at the present situation in relation to equal pay for work of equal value, and offered a good opportunity for us to investigate what we at KWWA should do in this tough present situation.

July 5~6, 2008, a workshop for executives of Hope Center to Abolish Poverty and Increase the Rights of Women Workers (HCAPIRWW) was held, entitled "When I grow up, our HCAIRWW grow up, too."  In this year 123 executives joined together across the nation, which is a higher than the number of participants last year.

After making a brief introduction and showing entertaining skills by region, all the participants danced to the rhythm of "We can make" and then, regular programs were carried out. Firstly, Ha Jonggang, chairperson of Hanul Professional Law Corp. delivered a lecture about "Let's look at labor issues correctly in the Korean society." More easily and interestingly explained is about capitalism development process in Korea and how its special history (occupation by Japan, the Korean War and division, long-term authoritarianism, and insufficient winding up of the past) has affect the present Korean society and how much we have suffered from that, through a film and pictures. He stressed we should carry out the strong and hopeful Korean labor movement to create a better society amid severe polarization.

After that, people were classified into 4 groups - women single parents, care service workers, self-sufficiency promotion centers, and National Cooperative of House Managers (NCHM), and leadership-enhancing training was conducted by group. Above all, we played an ice-breaking game and self-introduction was made to break the ice between us. After activating meetings through group discussion and leaders' role enhancing participatory program were conducted, we summarized our tomorrow's presentations until 10:30pm even after dinner. After that, we gathered together and had a fun overnight by region including introducing regional activities that we could not because of a shortage of time, and learning rhythmic movements.

In the morning on July 6, 2008, we had the time to present our discussion by group. We made creative presentations of our discussions in the forms of changed words to popular tunes, performances, plays, and slogans, to deliver to each other, roles of executives, a variety of activities, wishful goals and hopes. After the presentation, we appreciated a film to help reflect on HCAPIRWW's activities during the last year. 

As a last program, Huh Byeong-sup, a president of Green College gave a lecture, titled "life-saving activities." He talked about what minds and attitudes we need to carry out activities as executives, giving indirect cuts of his life.

Like this, a 2 day long workshop for HCAPIRWW executives was completed. What has remained to us is that we should work hard in high spirits with regional members. In future we hope all HCAPIRWW executives can carry out vigorous and exciting activities.

 

women's campaign carried out on obtaining minimum wage of 1 million Won -"Without money people can't help eating US mad cow beef"

Women workers are making government officers with the mind of "Don't eat if you mind" eat US mad cow beef foods.

Date : at noon, 12th June, 2008
Where : in front of Dongwhat Duty Free Shop at Kwangwhatmoon
Organizers : Korean Women's Trade Union (KWTU), Korean Women Workers Association (KWWA), and Korean Women's Associations United (KWAU)

Minimum wages have been increased little by little. In 2008, the minimum wage is set as 3,770 Won per hour and 787,930 Won a month by a standard of 40 hours. However, the initial minimum wage was so low that it has hardly been able to catch up with sharply increasing commodity prices.

In 2008 there were only 8.3% increase compared to a minimum wage of 727,930 Won (3,480 Won per hour) in 2007. Most cleaners receiving minimum wages are female householders, and so their incomes usually mean those by their whole families. Demands made by workers receiving a minimum wage are desperate and urgent. They say "I would have no more wishes if I receive 1 million Won," the wage that they can maintain their minimum livelihood.  Let's look at an example:

< detailed monthly expense by Shin He-jung (KWTU member, at age of 27,  a council tenant>
loan interest of council house    200,000원
transportation                       60,000원
house maintenance & management   50,000원
taxes                      33,000원
Internet broadband                   23,000원
mobile phone & telephone            36,740원
living expenses including food       136,557원

private medical insurance            65,703원
subscription savings deposit          50,000원
pocket money & cost for culture     40,000원
others & money in reserve          100,000원
-------------------------------------------------
total              795,000원

Very low minimum wages are not just the money matter itself. Employers do not want to pay the increases due to increased minimum wages. In the case of women workers working at Kyungpook National University Hospital under KWTU's Daegu & Kyungbuk region,  the hospital has not paid the unpaid, although it has received a court decision that it should pay the increase due to increased minimum wages. According to National Statistical Office, the number of 1,890,000 workers received less than the minimum wage in 2007 from 590,000 workers in 2001. The mere number of 11.9% out of the whole Korean workers, who received less than the minimum wage, shows very light punishment given by the government.

 US mad cow beef has stroke Korea hard.  She thought it would be better to buy far cheaper beef, because she cannot afford to buy beef. However, rich people or high ranking public officers will not buy the US beef which may be contaminated by mad cow diseases although it is cheap, but when she was told that only poor people would buy US beef, she was so furious that she joined candlelight demonstrations.

Her thought and emotion was performed in a play: "Without money people cannot help eating mad cow disease foods"

-- Women workers receiving minimum wages usually eat instant noodles or Korean ddukbokki. However, beef in the type of powder is usually added to these foods. Under the situations they may be affected by mad cow disease because of the importation of US beef. But, public officers in charge of the situation sit back and clasps their hands behind their back saying "Don't eat if you mind." Women workers who receive minimum wages demand to the government that minimum wages should be realized and US beef should be stopped from importing.

"Cannot help" song:
Without money people cannot help eating mad cow disease foods

If prices are rising people cannot help starving

If people can't live in this situation

Minimum wages should be increasing

If 2MB government is not good

People can't help fighting against him

Minimum wages should be increasing

 one person relay demonstration carried out for condemning violent police against candlelight demonstration and stepping down the police commander

 

Date : 10 am, June 6th 2008  - 5 pm, June 8th 2008
Where: In front of Seodaemoon Police Headquarters


Women's organizations such as Korean Women Workers Association, Korean Women's Associations United, Women Corea, Schoolbob, and Korean Womenlink demanded police commander Eu Cheongsoo should be stepped down and punish policemen in charge of violence against peaceful candlelight demonstrations.

In the one person relay demonstration carried out 3 days straight, a candlelight tower was set up and lit for 55 hours to express women's anger against and retirement of the police commander responsible for suppressive violence against peaceful demonstrations.

Jung Moon-ja vice president, Kimshin Heh-jung and Shin Myeongjin From KWWA, joined the 'one person relay demonstration' between 1pm ~5 pm on June 8th, 2008.

method to overcome neo-liberalism and their direction-groping workshop held

May 21th, a study team belonging to Korean Women Workers Association (KWWA) conducted the 3rd workshop with the moderator Kang Soo Dol who is a professor and the head of Jochiwon Shin-an 1 ri for carrying out Korean women's movement that tries to improve the quality of life in spite of no good money. Professor Kang claimed "all people are busy making much money and enjoying good life, but we should realize uncomfortable truth. all cannot jump into the high class. Although they become in the high class, their richness and rights are generated by the low class." He told us about the background and history of neo-liberalism underlining "if we want to make a nearly perfect society escaping from the neo-liberalism only caring for winners, it is needed that we try to make round-table patterned neo-liberalism and characteristic standard." After this workshop, the study team shares the contents of white paper about alternative life presently under construction, which is an important way for an alternative life movement and think about how to conduct them.

Korean women workers' forum held for realizing equal pay for work of equal value and gender sensitive job evaluation

On May 7th, 2008,  Korean Women Workers Association(KWWA) and Korean Women's Trade Union (KWTU) organized the first Korean women workers' forum entitled "comparative analysis of wage discrimination  prevention systems in the U.S. and U.K. and their implications to Korea", in order to achieve equal pay for work of equal value and gender sensitive job evaluation (presented by professor Oh Kye Taek) at KWWA's seminar room. In this forum, U.S. and U.K.'s legal basis and operating organizations of equal pay for work of equal value, legal explanation and evaluation methods regarding equal pay for work of equal value.

In this forum, we at KWWA focused on the explanation of equal pay for work of equal value and job evaluation methods. In term of the explanation of equal pay for work of equal value, the U.S. does not view equal work not as the exactly same work but as "practically same work." In the U.K. equal work is seen as the same work or similar work. Both of the U.S. and U.K. use job evaluation as an very important tool. In the U.K. it is recommended the result of job evaluation, if the result is adequate enough. However, in the U.S. job details and interviews with employees are used to decide to equal work. But there is a room for employers' thought to be considered, according to the result of job evaluation. In conclusion the professor Oh claimed we should understand the limitation of job evaluation. Job evaluation is subjective because it decides how much people are paid, through assessing the value of work. If someone can control the processes of job evaluation, it means he can affect the result (about the value of work, wages and others). In the U.S. in the process of job evaluation it is recommended that different parties (including trade unions, representatives of workers, and/ or professionals) should take part in the job evaluation.

KWWA had a good time to think over how to realize equal pay for work of equal value in the Korean society, through looking at interpretation of the meaning of equal pay for work of equal value and evaluation methods in the two nations in this forum.

Korean Candle Demonstration against U.S. Beef
Teenage girls play an important role in forming public opinions

by Park Heejung from a feminist journel, Ilda

During the last holidays on May 2nd and 3rd, 2008 unusual incidents caught our eyes at the Cheonggyecheon Plaza. In the evening on the last May 2nd, unexpectedly massive citizens and netizens gathered together, lodging a protest against U.S. beef contaminated by mad cow diseases, at a candlelight vigil. Another candle demonstrations coloring the Cheonggyecheon Plaza red with red candlelights, were organized on the following day, and in May 6th evening, similar kinds of rallies were planned to be organized at Yeoido and the Cheonggyecheon Plaza, respectively.

The series of demonstrations in which the protestors expressed their public opinions against U.S. beef, were found to be outstandingly different from other rallies which had been organized before:

The political views were not important in the series of demonstrations. Many participants who were engaged in the candlelight vigils often said "(before) I have never joined rallies nor demonstrations. But this time I can't stand any more."

The demonstrators are very different from conservative Korean press' points of view about who they are. In this demonstration, not leftists nor anti-U.S. activists, but citizens took the lead, who were concerned about the right to health and thought this new regime made a big mistake during the U.S. beef negotiation. Nevertheless, they are also worried about that their pure intention might be made a bad use of by the existing certain political powers or 'radical activists.'

'Teenage girls', majority of demonstrators

It is another important characteristic at the candlelight vigil that the great majority of the demonstrations are teenage girls.

At the Cheonggyecheon Plaza women especially teenage girls who have never been organized before were shouting their voice "No Mad Cows" at the candlelight vigils, and this is often a fresh shock to many 'adult' participants in the demonstration.

However, some conservative journalists who want to criticize the candlelight vigils underestimate the participation of teenage girls, saying that innocent teenagers are being affected by some bad stars. Even though, teenagers clearly recognize they can be victims by themselves. They recognize the U.S. beef problems are theirs. If the problematic beef is imported cheaply, they recognized that it will be used in school canteens above all, and they will be very harmfully affected because they are physically young and vulnerable.Teenagers' thoughts are not just limited to mad cow diseases. They are also concerned about the government's overall plans such as the privatization of health insurance and the construction of a canal across the nation. Young people and netizens shared these matters including mad cow diseases on the net even before the plan to import the U.S. beef. In addition, they recognize themselves as the 'futures of Korea'. One of the most popular words nowadays is that 'it was students who right wrongs in Korea.' Teenagers show ill feelings against injustice that the old generation ignores.

Since conservative journalists liked to minimize or hide this issue, and blamed students are leftists, or anti-U.S. people or 'brainwashed‘ teens were very outrageous. Morever, strange stories or wild rumor spread by the conservative press had already been found to be reported by themselves during the previous regime. Internet is a space in which the press should not bounce out easily, because netizens can easily disclose it by just surfing the net.
 
Teenage girls, forming public opinion and taking active action

There should be more analysis about 'why the majority of demonstrators are women.' In order to find the answers, we should listen to what teen girls speak to us. Almost all teenage girls 'take care of others' when they speak out in a demonstration or on the net: 'What shall I do if my mom and daddy are sick from the U.S. beef contaminated by mad cow disease'; 'my brothers may have to have the U.S. beef at the army.

Information is exchanged at net communities and on the internet where teenage girls are very active, which is women-oriented participation. News posts on portal sites were mostly written by males. Now, it is outstanding that teenage women become in the vanguard of forming public opinions.

Women are relatively more sensitive to the issue of foods. Regardless of the matter of justice or injustice, they were worried about the right to health of their families and friends. Because they are 'sympathetic and care' about their families and friends and they feel it's their generations trouble, teenage girls are very desparate.

The Korean society should learn so many things from public opinions led by teenage girls and from public sentiments made by teenage girls' active participation.

Before, some demonstrators sensitive to violence by policemen were in conflict with the police. But, May 6th, 2008 participants in the rally decided on 'silent candle demonstration.'

  2008/05/06 [13:18] ⓒ www.ildaro.com (quoted from: http://www.ildaro.com/sub_read.htmluid=4404§ion=sc3§ion2=)