Public Dislike of Labor Unions and Movements Increasing

The Korea Enterprises Federation recently conducted a survey on domestic labor unions and movements and released the results on Sept. 20. A total of 1,000 persons answered to the survey, 67.5 percent of them said that unionized workers must avoid illegal acts although what they demand are acceptable in some cases and 22.3 percent said that their illegal acts are unforgivable in any case.

“In the survey, more than 58 percent answered that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s response to illegal union activities are insufficient and 22.9 percent said that the response is excessive,” the federation explained, adding, “The 1,000 respondents consist of 13.7 percent very negative about labor unions and movements, 42.4 percent somewhat negative, 4.1 percent very positive, and 39.8 percent somewhat positive.”

More than 44 percent of those negative mentioned illegal acts, such as illegal demonstrations and workplace occupation, as why they are negative. Concentration on vested rights and moral hazard were mentioned by 27.6 percent and 15.3 percent, respectively.

“Over 20 percent answered that domestic unions’ movements are very violent and over 42 percent said those are somewhat violent,” it said, adding, “In contrast, the answers of very moderate and somewhat moderate stood at 1.1 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively.”