Translation result
[iNews24 reporter Park Ji-eun] Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Kim Jeong-gwan urged both sides to reach a dramatic settlement on the 19th, saying, “We must stop the strike at all costs.”
At a full meeting of the National Assembly’s Trade, Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, Kim said he had been cautious about commenting for fear his words might influence the ongoing second round of post-adjustment mediation, but he did not hide his concern.
“Everyone is worried about the fallout a Samsung strike would cause,” he said. “If we know the harm a strike would do but society cannot resolve it, that leaves us with a desperate sense of urgency and regret about what can be done going forward.”
He added that since yesterday he had been following the mediation closely, guarding even his words and demeanor, and that he hoped the outcome would reflect public expectations.
That day, Samsung Electronics management and the unions continued negotiations on the second day of post-adjustment mediation at the Central Labor Relations Commission.
After holding talks on wages and collective bargaining at the commission since the previous morning, the parties returned to the negotiating table at 10 a.m. that day.
Park Su-geun, chairman of the Central Labor Relations Commission, told reporters as he entered the meeting room that some differences were narrowing.
On whether the commission would propose a mediation plan, Park said they would first see whether the two sides could reach a settlement; if not, they would present a mediation proposal. “There is still a possibility of settlement, so we’ll wait and see,” he said.
During an afternoon recess, Park told reporters that both sides had been making concessions, raising hopes for a dramatic agreement.
He noted there was a real possibility of reaching an agreement.
The largest union at Samsung Electronics—the pan-company Samsung Electronics branch—has announced plans to begin a general strike from the 21st through the 7th of next month.
Most Commented