South Korea’s president steps in at DSME as subcontract workers go on hunger strike

Subcontract workers at South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) went on a hunger strike after the government denounced their actions as illegal. President Yoon Suk-yeol called for an end to illegal actions at industrial sites on Monday, which are said to have set DSME back by more than $400m.

A court ordered DSME workers on Friday 15 July to vacate the ships at the company’s dry dock at Okpo shipyard on Geoje Island. The court ruled that if the unionised workers do not end their occupation of the ship and dry dock, they must pay DSME 3m won ($2,270) per day.

Korean media reports Yoon emphasized the importance of establishing the rule of law and ending illegal situations at industrial sites, urging relevant ministers to be more proactive in resolving the strike, given its enormous economic impact.

A wildcat strike by some 150 DSME’s subcontract workers  ongoing for more than a month

A wildcat strike by some 150 DSME’s subcontract workers has been ongoing for more than a month after the shipbuilder rejected demands for a 30% wage increase.