A visiting Korean unionist has warned AMWU members international moves towards casual labour in the auto industry could spread to Australia. 
 
Dal Sik Kim, General Secretary of the Korean Transport Workers’ Union, visited Australia last week to update AMWU delegates on the three year struggle of GM Daewoo workers to gain reinstatement after being sacked for union activity.

Mr Kim told around 100 assembled AMWU members, GM Daewoo in South Korea had introduced a casual, non-union workforce at a cost of hundreds of permanent jobs. 

“Casualisation is a serious problem for workers, not only in South Korea but all around the world.  Like a cancer it’s spreading everywhere.

“We want to end casualisation and we want reinstatement for our workers.

“I am here in Australia to say ‘we must work together to fight casualisation’. One day workers in Australia may suffer the same fate as our workers in Korea, where up to 70% of all workers are engaged casually,” he said.

GM Holden delegate Nick Gouvousis was one of many members shocked to learn of the plight of the Daewoo auto workers who are members of the Korean Metals Workers Union (KMWU).

“It was quite disturbing to hear his (Mr Kim’s) stories. When you hear about the experiences of workers being exploited it’s hard to think we work under the same banner (GM).

“I think it’s important that we let our company know that we don’t think it’s acceptable to treat the workers in that way. As a multi-national company they might run things differently in other countries but the Korean workers should have the same rights we have,” Mr Gouvousis said.

AMWU Assistant National Secretary Glenn Thompson said the trip, co-sponsored by the AMWU and MUA in cooperation with SIGTUR Southern Initiative Global Trade Union Rights, was an important show of solidarity to the Daewoo workers. 

“The AMWU is committed to supporting casual workers around the world. We believe global transnational corporations like GM Daewoo need to treat workers with respect and the right to organise.

“Above all they need to genuinely uphold the principle to freely organise and have the KMWU recognised. That hasn’t happened to these workers, who are still fighting for their jobs and union representation. Comrade Kim will continue to update us on their situation.”

Click here for more information on the plight of GM Daewoo workers or sign up to an online petition supporting the workers. 

Click here to see more photos from the visit.