Women in unions in South Korea

[2] Women in South Korea are typically irregular workers, who are not protected by labor laws, make up to 35% less in wages than men, and are less likely to be a union member.

[1] The first documented women-only union organized a strike at the Kyongsong Rubber factory in Seoul to protest the mistreatment of women workers.

[1] After Japanese occupation, Korea was ruled by a military dictatorship that closely monitored union activity.

[3] Women of the union locked themselves in the company building, and the ensuing police raid resulted in the death of Kim Kyoung-sook, who would become a martyr for the movement.

"[3] In 2001, the KWTU and KWWAU launched a campaign to raise the minimum wage which led to a 12.6% increase per month.

[1] After the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, South Korea transitioned to neoliberal policies which has led to large companies, or chae-bols, and an insecure job market.

[4] The chae-bol centered economy has undermined unions by creating more competitive work environments, through what they call 'New Management Strategy' (shin geyongyeong jeollyak), and deregulating labor by lobbying for easier hiring and firing processes and outsourcing jobs.

[4] The pay discrepancies between male and female irregular workers is large, with women making 40% of the men's hourly wage.

[5] These women were fired then re-hired as subcontracted workers, which meant lower wages and less benefits, under the idea that they would be rehired later on.

[6] The KWWAU helped the women form the Chang Po Hoi (Iris Group), who led a 14-day campaign to get their jobs back.

[6] In May 2000, the Ministry of Labor classified them as legitimate workers, which would lead to a bargaining agreement between the union and 88CC management.

[6] Inha University outsourced the custodial jobs which placed workers under one year contracts, and monthly wages of about 400,000 won.