Migrant Workers’ Rights Stall

When: Saturday 22nd Dec, 2pm – onwards (until it gets too cold!)

Where: Insadong (north end – Anguk Station end)

Bring: Warm clothes

Firstly, thank you Henry for providing feedback on the draft info leaflet that I circulated to the group.  I spoke to Shine today and will be visiting the head office tomorrow morning in person.

 

If anyone is able to help me out on the morning of the 22nd I need to visit the head office in Gwanghwamun in order to collect a stall table and a few bits and bobs.  I could really do with an extra pair of hands!

Any questions, please feel free to ask me!

I would also appreciate a response from everyone as to whether or not you can make it.

Many thanks, and see you there!

Tom

P.S. Please see this post from AI’s main site:

Some 230,000 irregular migrant workers in South Korea live under the
constant threat of arrest, detention and forcible return. At the
same time, regular migrant workers can have identity documents
confiscated and retained by employers. Without identification, they
can be detained by the authorities. The country’s Immigration Law is
currently being revised to give the security forces power to search
migrant workers¡¯ homes or their persons, or to arrest them without
warrants.

At the same time, migrant workers are facing detention for trying to
improve their working conditions. Three senior officials of the
Migrant Workers¡¯ Trade Union (MTU) were detained on 27 November and
expelled without access to due process on 13 December. The MTU is
involved in a campaign against the draft changes to the law.
Although the ¡°official¡± reason given for the arrest of Kajiman
Khapung, Raju Kumar Gurung and Abul Basher M. Moniruzzaman was lack
of documentation to remain in South Korea, Amnesty International
believes they were held as prisoners of conscience for exercising
their labour rights.

The right to belong to a legally recognized trade union is protected
under the South Korean constitution. In February 2007 the Seoul High
Court ruling affirmed the right of all migrant workers, including
those who are in an irregular situation, to join authorized trade
unions but this is reportedly being appealed by the Ministry of
Labour.