Next Steps

PSI Building Stronger Sector Engagement 

This blog has been part of the PSI Asia Pacific Local Government and Utilities Network for around 10 years , with over 2335 posts. 

The Network it itself dates back till the late 1990's, including the engagement in building Networks through resolution of Resolution 34 at PSI Congress 2012 . https://gmpsiaprec.blogspot.com/2012/11/resolution-psi-sector-networksworld.html

Resolution 34 / 2012 (below) …..strengthened and rolled out not just the informal structures also argued the informal Networks would need to be strengthened to provide more formal structures , including . 
"  That PSI should in addition to the affiliate networks examine thoroughly which existing or future structures are most useful for sectorial work within PSI. This should involve solid and dependable structures that would work closely with the PSI Secretariat. Informal networks are a first start but will not be enough in the longer term " 

PSI Congress end of 2017 , took further steps , to invest , support, resource and build on this work with more formal use and mainstreaming of sector activities, including in the Asia Pacific Region , having dedicated responsibilities through its Staff . Section 7 of the current program of Action states - 

"Making Sectors Stronger, details the important role of sectors in PSI’s struggle. It outlines how equalities, cross-cutting issues, privatisation and trade union rights work will be incorporated and driven through sectoral work. It sets out how we will strengthen our sector networks and organise to defend our affiliates and their members. It lists specific action for each of PSI’s five sectors."  (this includes Utilities and Local Government )
http://congress.world-psi.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/EN-Introduction-to-the-PoA.pdf

PSI has also strengthened its Sector engagement with the employment and assignment of dedicated Sector Officers/Responsibilities at a Global level and more recently within the Asia Pacific Region with - 

Raman Kannan - taking responsibility for Local Government across the Region. Kannan is also the full time PSI Sub Regional Secretary for the South Asia Sub Region .

Ian Mariano - taking responsibility for Utilities . Ian is also the full time PSI Sub Regional  Secretary for the South East Region.

PSI Asia Pacific Region Contacts - 
Kate Lappin Regional Secretary for the Asia Pacific Region  kate.lappin@world-psi.org

Ian Mariano Sub-Regional Secretary for South East Asia ian.mariano@world-psi.org 

Kannan Raman Sub-Regional Secretary for South Asia kannan.raman@world-psi.org

PSI Global Contacts - 

David Boys – Deputy General Secretary – Utilities david.boys@world-psi.org 
Daria Cibrario - Local and Regional Government Officer daria.cibrario@world-psi.org  

You can also contact Raman and Ian at 

https://www.facebook.com/PSIAPRO/posts/1524036660964280

.

Pakistan - Wapda Hydro Electric Central Labour Union

 "The Government of Pakistan would redress the legitimate grievances of the employees of electricity distribution companies including bringing the contract employees on regular basis and provide safety to the line staff against accident and occupational disease at workplaces and arraigning security to the field staff during the course of performance of their duties for prevention of theft of electricity and recovery of electricity revenue against lawless elements and reviewing the ban to recruit new hand against essential nature of jobs on account of rising work of electricity distribution system and retirement of senior personnel day to day. 

These views were expressed in a bilateral meeting held by Omer Ayub Khan Federal Minister Energy (Power Division) Government of Pakistan in the presence of Irfan Ali Federal Secretary Energy and Mujahid Pervaiz Chatha Chief Executive Officer LESCO with the delegation of All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union CBA today 10th October, 2018 at Lahore. 

The Delegation of the Union was led by Veteran Trade Union Leader Khurshid Ahmed General Secretary accompanied by Haji Younas, Osama Tariq, Rana Abdul Shakoor, Muzaffar Mateen and other representatives of the union. 

The Minister also urged to the representatives of the Union that all efforts are required to be made out to provide Better Services to 25 Million Electricity Consumers and get recovered the electricity revenue and prevention of theft of electricity since loss of revenue and electricity had been imposing circular debt. 

Earlier the Delegation of the Union apprised the Federal Minister that the contract workers had been working for years and are required to be brought on regular cadre as well as the staff carrying out the work of prevention of theft of electricity and recovery of electricity revenue were required to be provided security alike Railways staff against the lawless elements and serious shortage of the field staff had also been resulting the tragic accident of the line staff due to over work day to day. 

They assured to the Federal Minister that it is bounden duty of the employees to perform the work of services to electricity consumers and developing transmission and generation distribution system successfully as prayer and service of the nation. They thanked the Minister for the patient hearing of their problems being faced by the employees and need to raise productivity of national public utility for accomplishing national task."

Further information Osama Tariq  pwf@brain.net.pk

Press  Release and Photographs from PSI Affiliate Pakistan Wapda  Hydro  Electric  Central  Labour  Union  (C.B.A).

Osama  Tariq - Joint  Additional  General  Secretary

Pakistan  Wapda  Hydro  Electric  Central  Labour  Union  C.B.A  Lahore   Pakistan.

Bukhtiar  Labour  Hall  28 Nisbet  Road  Lahore.

11 October 2018,

Mobile:- 0333-4276811

Unions in Fiji ‘still being targeted’

http://world-psi.org/en/unions-fiji-still-being-targeted

The Fiji Public Service Association (FPSA) general secretary Rajeshwar Singh claims that the public sector unions are “still being targeted” to weaken the collective voice of their members. Speaking at its 75th anniversary in Suva on 22 September, Mr. Singh also claimed that they are “suppressed” on a daily basis.

Mr. Singh said it was sad that attacks on trade unionists under the guise of reforms, road shows, laced with buffoonery and political stunts will not help public sector reform.

He also highlighted that the FPSA delegates’ conference passed a resolution to oppose the reforms in all its form.

Public Services International (PSI) regional secretary Kate Lappin, who was the chief guest for the event, said public services and trade unions were able to fundamentally change lives, ensure human rights were realised and shape the world we live in.

She added that PSI was committed to gender equality not just in numbers of delegates in governance and in a meeting but in the work they do to make sure that they bargain for better conditions for women.

Read Kate Lappin's speech here 

* Jessica Savike* This article was originally published at The Fiji Times

" Private thermal power generation in India – boon or bane? " A paper prepared by K Ashok Rao , Patron, All India Power Engineers Federation

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1GIJYhHQ8vI4ddRTXOBy-VTKaFGnEbMdi

This paper (via above link) prepared by Ashok Rao, is one of number of publications prepared by Ashok as part of the debate on the benefit of publicly owned base load power plants in India . 

The paper covers issues surrounding - 
* Legislative changes for the Industry by the Indian Government, and what that has meant for the industry on the ground including  
* Private power plants = Public money, private management.
* The Import of equipment and its consequences, including the affect of imports on the local suppliers, constructors and manufactures 
* Questions of Over invoicing of coal and equipment
* What then is our responsibility as citizens? And conclusion

The conclusions includes references to the role of the IMF and World Bank and its " structural adjustment loan conditionalities laid down by the World Bank and the IMF " which ensured the withdrawal of State resources from development of a vital infrastructure – the power supply industry.Plus the question of other Governments to support their national , third party party players .
The links of Trade, IMF, World Bank , direct and indirect consequences , plus third party players support .

The paper is well worth a read and use as a resource materiel for Unions and Society in general but in particular for Asia Pacific Nations still building their electricity industry as part of their development 

Ashok Roa can be contacted akashokrao@gmail.com

Pakistán WAPDA Lineman Association - face book page

PSI Pakistan Affiliate WAPDA , Lineman Association , has a face book page at https://www.facebook.com/Pakistán-WAPDA-Lineman-Association-186952525049495/

That is part of their campaigning for improved safety standards and safety equipment . 

Electricity Industry Workers in many parts of the would be disappointed and upset to see the conditions , accidents and deaths that occur in the Pakistan Electricity Industry 

If you can visit their face book page and show support for their campaign as well as spread the wor, that would be one way to help, show Union and Electricity Industry Workers Solidarity 
https://www.facebook.com/Pakistán-WAPDA-Lineman-Association-186952525049495/

People's movements reject RCEP - Call for parliamentary scrutiny of mega trade deal

Read online: http://www.world-psi.org/en/peoples-movements-reject-rcep-call-parliamentary-scrutiny-mega-trade-deal

[Bangkok, 20 July 2018] More than 80 representatives of trade unions, farmers, indigenous peoples, health and patient networks, women organisations, academia and civil society organisations from the Asia Pacific region have gathered in Bangkok on the sidelines of the 23rd round of negotiation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to raise serious concerns on the possible impacts of the deal. The mega regional Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is currently being negotiated by 16 countries, including the 10 ASEAN countries along with India, China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia, in complete secrecy.

People's movements are concerned that proposed provisions in RCEP could undermine access to price-lowering generic medicines, negatively impact farmers and indigenous people's rights to seed and food sovereignty, lock-in privatisation of public services, push workers’ wages down, and restrict the ability of governments to regulate public policies leaving them vulnerable to international lawsuits in secret tribunals.

“Trade unions across Asia Pacific are opposed to the RCEP because it is anti-democratic, anti-worker and anti-people. It is a threat to quality public services essential to advancing rights for all people. Governments have made commitments to tri-partism; to involve workers and employers in setting policies that impact on labour rights. Instead, governments appear to be taking instructions from the largest foreign multinational companies and protecting their interests, asserted Kate Lappin, Public Services International (PSI) Regional Secretary for Asia Pacific.

“We have grave concerns over TRIPs plus provisions in the RCEP negotiation currently being pushed by South Korea and Japan. Like other countries in the region, Thailand heavily relies on generic medicines, especially for high-cost diseases like HIV & AIDS, cancers, hypertension and heart-diseases. Thailand’s health insurance systems, which are fully and partially subsidised by the government, will be under threat if the life-saving medicines’ costs become more expensive due to the abuse of patent system,” said Chalermsak Kittitrakul, Access to Medicines Campaign Officer, AIDS Access Foundation.

“Thailand and other countries in Asia are amongst the richest in biodiversity. Our bio resources have been passed from generation to generation. By requiring all RCEP countries to join UPOV 1991 or creating national laws that are consistent with UPOV 1991, RCEP will allow large multinational corporations to claim ownership over these, causing tremendous damages to small scale farmers," said Mongkol Duangkhiew of Alternative Agricultural network. "We the farmers will not let anyone rob us of our rich biodiversity."

Joms Salvador, from Gabriela National Alliance of Women, Philippines added, “This trade agreement directly impacts women’s human rights, giving multi-national corporations the right to govern at the expense of women’s livelihoods, pushing wages down further with a race to the bottom where women are kept at the bottom. It is deeply concerning that while this trade agreement directly impacts so many lives, it is not being discussed with those most vulnerable and potentially impacted such as women, farmers, patients, workers, indigenous peoples and other marginalised group.”

“By prioritising the interests of corporations over the well-being of peoples, RCEP poses grave threats to the public interest,” said Shalmali Guttal, Focus on the Global South. “The Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism will prevent governments from protecting the needs of their populations. The entire raft of new generation trade-investment agreements is building an architecture of impunity for corporations and elites, at the expense of people, the environment and societal well-being.”

A recent assessment of RCEP against criteria for transparency, public participation and parliamentary scrutiny found that the mega trade deal miserably fails on all accounts.

“Everyone, from elected parliamentarians concerned about potential job losses in their regions, to journalists investigating impacts on the affordability of life-saving medicines, to peasant organisations concerned about falling agricultural prices due to cheap imports have all been kept in the dark for the past five years,” said Benny Kuruvilla from the Transnational Institute (TNI), India.

People’s organisations from the region demand that governments keep equitable, fair and sustainable development at the core of economic cooperation and multilateralism. The 16 governments must consider the adverse impact of this mega FTAs and put an end to deals that only increase protection for and power of multinational corporations.

More information

·          RCEP and Free Trade in Asia Pacific: People's Responses - Bangkok (Thailand), 20-24 July 2018

For further information contact

·          Susana Barria, Public Services International Asia Pacific, susana.barria@world-psi.org, +919958812915

Public Services International is a global trade union federation representing 20 million working women and men who deliver vital public services in 163 countries. PSI champions human rights, advocates for social justice and promotes universal access to quality public services. PSI works with the United Nations system and in partnership with labour, civil society and other organisations.

People's Convention on Infrastructure Financing - AIIB Annual Meeting

People's Convention on Infrastructure Financing - A response to AIIB Annual Meeting, Mumbai, India:

Had dialogues on impacts of financial bodies on people's lives and development, exposing the negative aspect of development finance with participation by 150 civil society organisations on 21st to 23rd June.

Different parallel workshops were held on Public Accountability, Gender Impact on IFI projects, Smart cities & Mega Infrastructure projects, Water for life- not profits, Energy Access role of IFIs, Industrial Corridor in India, challenging Legal Immunity granted to IFIs..

The 3rd AGM of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will be held on 25-26 June at Mumbai with the theme 'Mobilising Finance for Infrastructure: Innovation and Colloboration'.

Above and below photos from PSI South Asia Sub Regional Secretary  Raman Kannan 
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=raman%20kannan

For those wanting more advice on the role of the AIIB , please see 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Infrastructure_Investment_Bank#Governance 
Which provides for the following introduction "The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank that aims to support the building of infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. The bank currently has 64 member states while another 22 are prospective members for a total of 86 approved members and was proposed as an initiative by the government of China

+6

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Infrastructure_Investment_Bank#Governance

Show more reactions

INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION - The Government of Bangladesh Is Failing Its Workers

Brussels, 29 May 2018 (ITUC OnLine): Every year since the Rana Plaza disaster, workers have insisted that the ILO’s Committee on the Application of Standards hear and discuss how the government is failing its workers on the right to freedom of association.  And, every year, the ILO Committee of Experts and the Committee on the Application of Standards have issued clear, direct recommendations to the government in order to comply with the Convention. Unfortunately, the government has wasted every opportunity it has been given to improve the situation for workers. The Bangladesh Labour Act, the country’s primary labour law, and its regulations contain numerous obstacles to the exercise of this fundamental right. Workers in Export Processing Zones are prohibited from forming a union. The government still arbitrarily denies the registration of over half the unions that apply. And workers face dismissal or worse, including severe beatings, for attempting to form unions – while those responsible face no consequences whatsoever.  The ITUC’s 2018 review of the Committee of Experts’ report makes this abundantly clear. https://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/bangaldesh_evaluation_ilo_experts_2018_final_ituc_ccc.pdf

Bangladesh will not appear on the short list of cases of the Committee on the Application of Standards this year – not because there is improvement but rather because there is none. It makes no sense to provide the government yet another opportunity to make the same old excuses and the same old empty promises. Further, the ILO supervisory system has repeated too many times what the government must do to protect the right to freedom of association.  Instead, we are putting the government of Bangladesh on notice. It has one final year to put its house in order. If it does not, the Workers’ Group will file for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry at the 2019 International Labour Conference. 

This also serves as a notice to global brands. If you are truly serious about your commitments to respect labour rights in global supply chains, the case of Bangladesh provides no better opportunity.  In the run-up to the centennial of the ILO next year, let’s see whether together we can make real progress. If not, then we know what to expect next year.

Above media from ITUC 

The ITUC represents 207 million members of 331 affiliates in 163 countries and territories.

Follow us on the web: http://www.ituc-csi.org and http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI

ITUC Launches Migrant Worker “Recruitment Adviser” Platform

https://www.ituc-csi.org/ituc-launches-migrant-worker

The ITUC has launched a new web platform to help protect migrant workers from abusive employment practices, by providing them with peer-to-peer reviews about recruitment agencies in their country of origin and destination.

The Recruitment Advisor, developed by the ITUC with support from the ILO Fair Recruitment initiative”, lists thousands of agencies in Nepal, Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries.

The platform allows workers to comment on their experiences, rate the recruitment agencies and learn about their rights. Initially available in English, Indonesian, Nepali and Tagalog, it will be further developed in more languages.

Governments provided the list of licensed agencies and a network of trade unions and civil society organizations in all target countries, ensures the sustainability of the platform by reaching out to workers and speaking to them about their rights.

Public and private recruitment agencies, when appropriately regulated, play an important role in the efficient and equitable functioning of both the migration process and labour markets in countries of destination, by matching the right workers with specific labour needs and labour markets, as well as creating invaluable skills assets for countries and communities of origin when workers return home.

Ultimately Recruitment Advisor will promote recruiters who follow a fair recruitment process based on ILO General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment and will provide useful feedback to Governments regarding the practices of licensed recruitment agencies, which could be used to complement more traditional monitoring systems.

Recruitment is a critical stage when migrant workers are more vulnerable to abuse. “Unscrupulous recruitment agencies take advantage of the lack of law enforcement by governments or because workers are simply not aware of their rights”, says ITUC General Secretary, Sharan Burrow. “It’s time to put power back into workers’ hands to rate the recruitment agencies and show whether their promises of jobs and wages are delivered.”

“This platform can help migrant workers make critical choices at the time of planning their journey to work in a foreign country. We know that when a worker is recruited fairly the risk of ending in forced labour is drastically reduced,” says ILO technical specialist Alix Nasri. “We strongly encourage workers to share their experiences so others can learn from them. A critical mass of review is needed for the platform to be really helpful for migrants.”

“An organized workforce cannot be enslaved, but when there is a governance failure and no law enforcement, then slavery can flourish. Together we will stop unscrupulous recruitment practices, we will eliminate slavery in the supply chains and we will end modern slavery”, said Burrow.

The ITUC represents 207 million members of 331 affiliates in 163 countries and territories.

Follow us on the web: http://www.ituc-csi.org and http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on +32 2 224 03 52 or mail to: press@ituc-csi.org

Media item from ITUC 

The Alternative World Water Forum has begun!

http://www.world-psi.org/en/alternative-world-water-forum-has-begun  
Read the full story at this link 

Academics, social movements, trade unions and civil society organisations are meeting in Brasilia until 22 March to discuss how to resist the commodification of water in the world.

The Alternative World Water Forum (FAMA) is being held 17-22 March. Academics, social movements, trade unions and civil society organisations are meeting in the Brazilian capital to discuss how to resist the commodification of water in the world. More specifically, to present an alternative to the World Water Forum, which is taking place 18-23 March, also in Brasilia.

Organised by the World Water Council, jointly with the federal government, the environment ministry and the Brasilia DF government, FAMA calls the “official” event the Corporations’ Forum.

“The Corporations’ Forum and the World Water Council are connected to various private sector entities, especially to multinational corporations that aim to promote the commodification of water; intensify the transfer of hydrographic basins; build dams; appropriate and control underground aquifers”, explains Oscar Rodríguez, Sub-regional Secretary of Public Services International (PSI) for Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Central America and responsible for the water and sanitation sector in the Inter-American region.

“Many of these companies already control water supply and sanitation services. They want to take control of water reserves in order to obtain very high profits, causing major financial impacts and restrictions on access to water for sectors of the world's population, particularly the poorest people”, he says. "

" PSI, one of the sponsors of FAMA, and its Brazilian affiliate, the Federação Nacional dos Urbanitários, FNU (National Confederation of Urban Service Workers), will be represented at the event by David Boys, deputy general secretary, Oscar Rodríguez, water and sanitation officer for the Inter-American region, and Denise Motta Dau, Subregional Secretary for Brazil. Representatives of affiliates in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Uruguay are also attending the event. "

Read the full story at this link 

http://www.world-psi.org/en/alternative-world-water-forum-has-begun  

Also hear radio Labour on FAMA 2018 http://www.radiolabour.net/water-190318.html

Secretary at the Alternative World Water Forum (Fórum Alternativo Mundial da Água) in Brasilia #Fama2018 #AguaéDireito #VemproFAMA

RadioLabour

The World Bank and water corporations are holding the World Water Forum in Brazil. Unions and NGOs are organizing an Alternative Forum. A RadioLabour interview with David Boys, the Deputy General Secretary of Public Services…

RADIOLABOUR.NET

ILO - GOALI (Global Online Access to Legal Information) launch event

http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_619618/lang--en/index.htm

" GENEVA (ILO News) – The ILO and a group of academic partners have launched a programme to provide free or inexpensive access to legal information and training to promote research in low- and middle income countries and help strengthen the rule of law.

The programme, known as GOALI  (Global Online Access to Legal Information) will give users in more than 115 developing countries  access to a wide range of essential legal information for their work and studies that they would not normally be able to obtain.

Eligible institutions include governments, universities, law schools, research and not-for-profit institutions, as well as the secretariats of national workers’ and employers’ organizations. 

Some of the key topics covered in the programme are international law, human rights, humanitarian law and labour law – areas that can help strengthen legal frameworks and institutions in many developing countries. The programme will also contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal  16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions .  http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/peace-justice/

“The aim of GOALI is to improve the quality of legal research, education and training in low- and middle-income countries, and in turn strengthen legal frameworks and institutions and further the rule of law,” said ILO's Deputy Director-General Deborah Greenfield.

“This initiative will make this vital information available to those who, until now, have not had access.  In turn, it will help promote social justice and inclusive societies, which is at the heart of the ILO’s mandate. ” she added.

GOALI has been developed with the participation of publishers, UN organizations and academics, as part of Research4Life 1 , a partnership to boost evidence-based research, healthcare, policymaking and global justice. 

The programme was launched at ILO headquarters in Geneva, together with representatives from the Brill Nijhoff academic publishing company, Lillian Goldman Law Library at Yale Law School, the Cornell Law School Library and the International Training Centre of the ILO. Liesbeth Kanis, Managing Director Brill Asia said that GOALI “will clearly fill a gap in the area of access to legal information in developing countries. Brill Nijhoff has contributed nearly 160 journals and ebooks, mainly in the area of law, including the International Development Policy book series and the not-for profit Journal of Interrupted Studies. "

Read the full story and more at 
http://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_619618/lang--en/index.htm

Indian Labour Organisations meet for new strategy - by aawl

http://www.aawl.org.au/content/indian-labour-organisations-meet-new-strategy

On February 18, fourteen labour organisations held a one day meeting in New Delhi to discuss the state of the workers movement in India and possible ways forward.

While in the last few years there have been incredible struggles like the Maruti, the Pricol and the Anganwadi workers, these either only gain temporary victories or face the full repressive force of the state. 

The workshop saw that the main issues that workers are facing are low wages, precarious work contracts and unfair labour laws. The outcome was a commitment to support workers in struggle, and those who are in jail, and to better co-ordinate the various labour struggles.

Story and photo from AAWL http://www.aawl.org.au

Take Action: Call for the release of Han Sang Gyun

http://www.world-psi.org/en/take-action-call-release-han-sang-gyun

PSI is calling on all affiliates to join the renewed joint ITUC and GUF international campaign calling for the release of Han Sang-gyun and the withdrawal of the charges against Lee Young-joo, respectively former President and General Secretary of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).

Send a letter of protest to President Moon and join the Day of Action on 9 February 2018.

The ex-president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Han Sang-gyun, is still serving his three-year sentence in Hwasung Correction Centre. Han was leading the trade union movement in various protests and the people’s rally on 14 November 2015 against the regressive labour reforms under the former Park Geun-hye government.

Less than a year in power since the anti-worker government under Park Geun-hye was toppled by mass demonstrations, President Moon Jae-in has pledged to end the use of irregular workers in the public sector and to increase the minimum wage by sixteen per cent. His government has yet to follow the recommendations of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association (CFA) to release Han or revoke the wrongful charges against the trade union leaders taking part in the people’s rally in 2015.

Despite the repeated calls of international trade unions, Han was not included in the special pardon granted by the Korean President last December. Instead, on 31 December 2017, the ex-General Secretary of KCTU, Lee Young-joo, was arrested by the police when she left the headquarter of the ruling Democratic Party where she had been taking a hunger strike for ten-days in protest of the amendments to the Labour Standards Act. The 2 years prior to the hunger strike, she had been staying in the KCTU office to secure her activity as general secretary in the risk of arrest, as the police had also issued an unlimited arrest warrant for her role in organising the People’s Mass Mobilisation of November 14, 2015.

The international trade union movement welcomed the election of President Moon Jae-in and had expected him - as a former human rights lawyer - to implement his campaign promises by revoking the anti-labour policies of the Park Guen-hye government, ratifying ILO Convention 87 and 98, and releasing Han Sang-gyun. President Moon has yet to fulfill these commitments.

Lee Young-joo was dismissed as a teacher in 2016, and the Korean Teachers’ Union – de-certified by the Park Guen-hye government – has not been able to have its certification reinstated under Moon Jae-in’s government. Lee will be sent for trial between February and March.

The ITUC supports the KCTU and the GUFs in a renewed international campaign to demand the release of Han Sang-gyun and the withdrawal of the charges against Lee Young-joo.

We ask for your solidarity to support the following actions:

• Download and send a protest letter to President Moon president@president.go.kr; webmaster@president.go.kr. Please copy tur@ituc-csi.org and the KCTU campaign email address kctucampaign@gmail.com. 
• Join the action day to free Han Sang-gyun and Lee Young-joo on 9 February 2018: Stage a protest and hand in the letter to your local Korean embassy on 9 February, the day of the opening of the Winter Olympics hosted by Korea in Pyeongchang.

For more information:

• See PSI's Solidarity with South Korea pages