South Korea orders truckers to return to work amid nationwide strike

On November 29, 2022, members of the Cargo Truckers Solidarity union stage a rally against the government's return to work order on cement truckers in Uiwang, South Korea. AHN YOUNG-JOON AP SEOUL - South Korea ordered striking truckers in the steel and petrochemical industries to return to work on Thursday, widening a back-to-work decree beyond the cement industry amid a prolonged nationwide strike that has disrupted supply chains.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo told the members to issue a start work order during the opening remarks at a televised meeting of the country's cabinet.

Hundreds of thousands of truckers are demanding a minimum wage program be broader and more permanent. The government has refused but has said it can extend it beyond the current three years.

The Democratic Party, an opposition party that holds a majority in parliament, has decided to support the extension proposal, according to media reports.

The government is steadfast. Han said that we need to break out of the vicious cycle of an unjustified organized act.

A senior union official said no more negotiations were planned.

The government said this week that the second strike in less than six months has hampered supplies of goods, from cars to fuel, costing the country 3.5 trillion won $2.66 billion in its first 12 days.

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There are a third of 2,000 fuel tankers on strike, and 78 petrol stations have run out of fuel nationwide, many of which are in the Seoul metropolitan region, according to government data.

The government issued a start work order last week to force 2,500 striking drivers back into the cement industry. Media reports said about 35 percent of 2,600 fuel tanker drivers across the country are striking, citing the industry ministry.

Steel shipments are at 48 percent of normal levels, and shipments of petrochemical products have fallen to about 20 percent, the transport ministry said on Thursday. It raised concerns that the disruptions would hurt production of cars and ships.

Petrochemical companies are considering reducing production as early as this weekend because of shortages of raw materials and space for unused inventory.

The start of the work order was the first time that the government forced the workers back into the job. The government says it will take legal action with the help of certified labor attorneys to defy the order, which can lead to the cancellation of licenses, three years in jail or a fine of up to 30 million won $22,550.

Some truckers say the loss of income is making it hard for drivers to keep up with the industrial action because of the strike.