CLASS STRUGGLES IN ASIA
Should we copy the "South Korean miracle"?
The bosses and the politician's -including key ANC leaders- have told
the workers that we must be "more like South Korea".
They say South Korea is a "miracle" country with jobs for everyone
and a growing economy. A country which developed from being a
Japanese colony (1910-1946) but which now exports cars and radios and
electronics across the world.
Korea is one of the "Asian Tigers"- countries whose economies
became very big since 1945.
The facts are very different. South Korea is a hell-hole for
the working people. Studies show that South Korea has the longest
average working week and the highest industrial accident rate of
anywhere in the world.
In 1960 all independent trade unions were dissolved, strikes
were banned and many union activists were arrested. In 1987, there
were massive union struggles.
In 1994, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions was founded with
500,000 members. But the federation is illegal.
In December 1996 there was a general strike against new labour
laws restricting strikes, banning union involvement in politics, and
making sure the new federation remained illegal.
The workers and the students have been struggling for basic
political rights for many years.
Between 1910-46, there was brutal Japanese colonialism.
Since independence, there have been many dictatorships. Every
Korean president between 1960-92 has been linked to the military.
There were free elections in 1993, but very little has changed.
We must support the Korean workers in their struggle- their fight
is our fight- their enemies are our enemies.
The Korean workers are sick of the "miracle" and we do not want it
either.
This page hosted by 
Get your own
Free Home Page
Go to the
CapitolHill GeoPage