한국 노동시장에서의 신자유주의적 공세와 노동계급의 지위변화

Abstract

The working classes in Korea had experienced a despotic system of labour,in which the oppressive regimes and the capitalists thoroughly controlled them, during the 30 years since the state-led economic development policy started in the early 1960s. But the authoritarian regime had scarcely collapsed with the 6․29 Declaration in 1987 when the great struggles of working classes began to break out with expanding the mass movement for democratization into the whole nation. Through that struggles, the working classes changed their identity and strengthened strong solidarity among them, thus resulting in the labour movement well organized and powerful. Nonetheless, the state authorities and the capitalists were still very oppressive to the wageworker. In the end of 1980s when the economy became sluggish, however, the regime changed its labour policy to legalistic and administrative approaches from undisguised oppressions. And the capitalists also supported that government policy with the principle of 'non-labour, non-wage' and the 'new strategy of management.' For the 'new strategy of management,' it was necessary to make labour market flexible. In 1996 the government hence revised the labour law, against which the working classes did fight with a general strike but did not gain any success. With the economic crisis in 1997, the Neo-Liberal economic policies were widely introduced in Korea. The IMF required restructuring programs as the conditionality for emergency loans, which led to mass unemployment and rapid increase of irregular workers. The segmentation of labour market between regular and irregular workers had significant influence on the solidarity and the mode of labour movement. The position of the labour in market was weakened by the Neo-Liberal offensive. In terms of labour movement organization, however, the workers' class position was more strengthened than before. Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and Korean Teachers & Educational Worker's Union were legitimated. And Korean Government Employees' Union was also legalized. In addition,Democratic Labour Party and New Progressive Party, representing the working classes, are active in parliamentary politics. The position of working classes in Korea has repeated its ups and downs according to actions and reactions of such elements influencing labour markets as domestic and international economic situations, social and political environments, government economic policies, management strategies, and technological changes.