GM Daewoo workers' struggle settles

KOREA: On February 2, GM Daewoo management signed an agreement committing to reinstating all 15 members of the Irregular Workers Chapter of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU) who were laid off three years ago. The two high altitude sit-in protesters who had been living over the arch in front of GM Daewoo for over 60 days concluded their struggle and are now in recovery.

The key points of the agreement included the following:

• Nine union members laid off after closure of the in-house subcontractor they were employed by will be rehired by a subcontractor by the end of January 2013,
• Five union members laid off for disciplinary reasons will be rehired by a subcontractor by the end of July 2013, and
• One union member employed by a GM Daewoo parts supplier (secondary subcontractor) will be rehired by a subcontractor by the end of July 2013.

Through the efforts of the GM Daewoo workers and solidarity from Korean and international supporters, GM Daewoo was forced to agree to the reinstatement of all the workers of the Irregular Workers’ Chapter.

Although the struggle for direct employment and the regularization of in-house subcontracted workers will continue, this agreement represents an important victory for the workers. The KMWU express their gratitude to all those who sent solidarity and protest letters.