Korean Workers and Neoliberal GlobalizationOne of the most remarkable aspects of South Korea's transition from impoverished post-colonial nation to fully-fledged industrialized democracy has been the growth of its independent and dynamic labour movement. Korean Workers and Neoliberal Globalisation examines current trends and transformations within the Korean labour movement since the 1990s. It has been a common assumption that the 'third wave' of democratisation, the end of the Cold War, and the spread of neoliberal globalisation in the latter part of the 20th century have helped to create an environment in which organised labour is better placed to overcome bureaucratic national unionism and transform itself into a potential counter-globalisation movement. However, Kevin Gray argues that despite the apparent continued phenomena of labour militancy and the rhetoric of anti-neoliberalism, the mainstream independent labour movement in Korea has become increasingly institutionalised and bureaucratised into the new capitalist democracy. This process is demonstrated by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' experience of participation in various forms of policy making forums. Gray suggests that as a result, the KCTU has failed to mount an effective challenge against processes of neoliberal restructuring and concomitant social polarisation. The Korean experience provides an excellent case study for understanding the relationship between organised labour and globalisation. Korean Workers and Neoliberal Globalisation will appeal to students and scholars of Korean studies and International Political Economy, as well as Asian politics and economics. |
From inside the book
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5 per cent and 26 . 5 per cent of the vote , respectively . As a result , General Roh
Tae Woo , one of the principal instigators of the Kwangju massacre and close
friend and ally of Chun Doo - Hwan , was elected president with only 35 .
6 per cent of the entire working population ( OECD 2000 : 77 – 85 ) . Even for
those workers who were legally insurable , the actual compliance rate in
December 2000 was only 73 . 4 per cent , reflecting employer reluctance to make
the ...
that over 80 per cent of the total cost of health care , including premiums is paid
for by the insured . Thus , even for those with a steady income , serious financial
barriers exist to receiving adequate health care in the case of serious illness .
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Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Neoliberal globalization labour and resistance | 12 |
The rise and fall of militant labour unionism in Korea | 52 |
Copyright | |
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