10.11.2011

South Korean crane women ends protest

South Korean woman Kim Jin-suk has touched ground for the first time since January to end her 309 day protest against Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction. She confined herself to the cramped conditions of a 35 metre tall crane in the southern port city of Busan, with no electricity or washing facilities.
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South Korean Kim Jin-suk just before ending her successful 309 day ‘living in a crane’ protest.

The protest began when Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction announced it was cutting 400 jobs from its shipyard. Since then thousands of protesters have rallied and marched through Busan in a show support facing resistance from the authorities and often ending in many arrests.

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Initially it was thought that an agreement would be reached gaining improved compensation for those that had been laid-off. However the protests continued as they valued jobs over compensation. Kim had said that she would not come down until the workers were reinstated.

After 309 days she has succeeded with the union finally approving a compromise with management whereby 94 laid-off workers would be rehired within the year. Workers were to be compensated with 20 million Won (£11,000) and the damage lawsuits previously filed against them were to be dropped.
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Thousands of protesters have rallied and marched through Busan in a show support facing resistance from the authorities and often ending in many arrests.

“The agreement will take effect when activist Kim descends the crane,” said a union leader. “Kim said she would come down if union members vote to accept the agreement.”

Unfortunately following a medical check-up Kim Jin-suk is to be arrested on charges of obstructing business and trespassing although this will meet with fierce resistance from the laid off workers.
The protest had cost Hajin millions of pounds and the company revealed a net loss of 51.7 billion won (£31million) last year.