Public perception toward trade unions in Korea has improved to the similar level as found after the democratization in 1987. It is explained that the 'Candlelight Revolution' last year boosted the public approval rating toward trade unions, as seen that the positive public opinion toward trade union movement had risen through the democratization movement such as the 'June Civil Uprising' and 'Workers Grand Struggle' in the period of June to August, 1987.
The Korea Labor Institute(KLI) released a survey outcome on "the public perception toward labor relations" at a seminar with the theme of "the diagnosis on Korean labor system and its challenges" which was held to mark the 29th anniversary of its foundation on September 21 at the Press Center in central Seoul. The KLI conducted face-to-face interviews with 1,000 people(equal number of respondents, 500 men and 500 women respectively) to find out their opinions about trade unions, labor relations and labor policies.
According to the survey, 54.0 percent of respondents answered that trade unions contributed to the economic growth, whereas 18.6 percent said negatively, showing the difference of 35.4 percentage points in favor of positive. The difference figure between positive and negative is even higher than 26.9 percentage points surveyed in 1989.
57.9 percent of respondents replied that trade unions contributed to the political democratization, whereas 8.8 percent replied negatively, with the difference of 49.9 percentage points which is similar to 50.3 percentage points shown in 1989.
As to the trade union's influence to the reduction of social inequality, positive answers overwhelmed negative ones with 67.3 percent and 5.1 percent respectively, showing the difference of 62.2 percentage points similar to 64.1 percentage points in 1989.
85.5 percents of the respondents viewed that trade unions are necessary. What they expect from trade unions follows wage increase(59.9 percent), employment stability(72.1 percent), and protection of workers from unfair treatment(70.3 percent) whose rate in particular has skyrocketed from 33.6 percent shown in 1989.
The survey, however, found the gap between the enhanced public expectations and current trade union activities. 30.1 percent of respondents wanted to see trade unions protect the vulnerable workers with 28.8 percent for the employment stability of union members, whereas 47.7 percent of respondents pointed out that the current trade union activities focused too much on the improvement of working conditions limited to union members.
The prospect of union influence power has shown a decreasing trend to 26.3 percent this year, falling from 48.2 percent in 2007 and 40 percent in 2010.
Regarding the trade union representation, 21.8 percent replied that trade unions represent the interests of all workers, while the rest viewed that trade unions only represent their members or a few of union officers.
reported by Bae Hye-jung
translated by Kim Sung-jin