Source Verification:
Gi Estrada
Area Coordinator
(852)9747-0546

Condemn the Continuing Crackdown on the Migrants Trade Union (MTU) by the South Korean Government

The continuing arrests of the top leadership of the Migrants Trade Union (MTU) a day after International Labor Day sends a chilling effect on the migrant and general workers movement in South Korea. This should be condemned by all as this is clearly meant to crush the MTU and sow terror among the grassroots migrant organizations.

Torna Limbu and Abdus Sabur, President and Vice President respectively assumed the leadership of the MTU only on April 6 this year. They just replaced the top leadership of said organization who were arrested on November 27 last year and who were subsequently deported.

Most of the members of the MTU are undocumented migrant workers. Their organization has been steadfast in its struggle against the crackdown on such kinds of workers since its formation in 2005.

This includes winning a legal battle in the Seoul High Court on 1 February 2007 whereby undocumented migrant workers won the right to freedom of association and the right to unionize. The Korean government, however, has appealed the decision to its Supreme Court which will make a decision in the middle to the end of this year.

The number of undocumented migrant workers is growing despite the introduction of the Employment Permit System (EPS) and the dissolution of the trainee system last year. The South Korean government however is hell-bent in cracking down on such kinds of workers.

We call on all to condemn the South Korean government on its latest repressive actions. Undocumented migrant workers are not criminals and should not be treated as such. Even the International Covenant on Migrant Workers of the United Nations recognizes their rights.

Support the MTU and KCTU's calls to stop the repression on the MTU and all undocumented migrant workers in Korea!

Call for the immediate release of President Torna Limbu and Vice President Abdus Sabur!

Recognize MTU's legal union status and its right to freedom of association!