AIRF is shocked and outraged to hear about the attempted police raid on the office of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union, which on 6 November, 2015. We understand that, this raid was carried out ostensibly in relation to an investigation of the KPTU-TruckSol Pulmone Chapter’s high altitude protest, but that police attempted to search not only the TruckSol Office, but the entire KPTU building. We also understand that, arrest warrants have been issued in relation to the Pulmuone workers’ strike.

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No.AIRF/31-D(G) Dated: November 17, 2015

Dear South Korean Ambassador,

I am writing on behalf of All India Railwaymen’s Federation(AIRF), representing 1.2 million Railway workers in the Indian Railways.

Our federation was shocked and outraged to hear about the attempted police raid on the office of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union, which on 6 November, 2015. We understand that, this raid was carried out ostensibly in relation to an investigation of the KPTU-TruckSol Pulmone Chapter’s high altitude protest, but that police attempted to search not only the TruckSol Office, but the entire KPTU building. We also understand that, arrest warrants have been issued in relation to the Pulmuone workers’ strike.

We are aware that Pulmuone drivers have been striking since 4 September calling on Pulmuone to take responsibility for union recognition and safety and decent conditions in its supply chain and that this strike is part of a broader struggle by KPTU-TruckSol for safe standard rates and client responsibility. We are concerned that, instead of listening to truck drivers’ just demands Pulmuone is refusing to recognize their union, while the government and police have chosen the route of repression.

We are also concerned that, this excessive attempted raid is part of a broader effort to intimidate the democratic labour movement ahead of mass worker protests scheduled for November 14 and further strike action later in the year. We note that the ILO and international labour community have continuously censured the Korean Government for its violations of civil and fundamental labour right and must state once again that such acts will not be tolerated. We, therefore, call on the Korean Government and police to:-
1. Stop repression against the KPTU-TruckSolPulmuone drivers and the whole KPTU, including by cancelling arrest warrants and release of arrested workers.
2. Facilitate negotiations between Pulmuone and KPTU-TruckSol and a just settlement to the dispute.
3. Apologise for the unjustified and excessive attempted raid on the KPTU office.

 GS-Sign