Truck strike in Korea, why?

Recently in Korea, the ‘Cargo Solidarity’, in which drivers of large trucks are participating, started a strike.

Because of this, the cargo needed for the site cannot come and go properly. To solve this problem, the Korea Cargo Solidarity and the government negotiated, but nothing has changed.

Conflict over safe fare system

The reason truck drivers go on strike is, “Please continue to maintain the ‘Safe Fare System,’ which will disappear at the end of this year.” And we are asking to expand the scope of application to other trucks such as containers.

The safe freight rate system is a system that guarantees the lowest transport rates for cargo workers so that cargo workers do not rest properly to move more goods or have accidents due to speeding.

In response, the government says it will extend the safe fare system for just three years, but the Cargo Solidarity is demanding an expansion of the scope of application.

When the cargo union continued the strike despite the government’s persuasion, President Yoon Seok-yeol recently issued a “business start order” to the cargo union. The Cargo Regiment was ordered by law to start working again. Failure to comply may result in criminal penalties such as imprisonment, fines, and license revocation.

May the strike end soon

The president took this action because he judged that a strike by the cargo unions had stalled logistics and all industries were at a standstill, and the national economy was facing a major crisis.

Because cement cannot be transported, buildings cannot be built and exported goods cannot be moved to the port. Gas stations are running out of gas.

The opposition of the cargo unions intensified against the government's hardline response. I hope the government and the cargo union will gather their wisdom and come to an agreement and the strike will end as soon as possible