Business groups urged a search for solutions to the collective refusal to transport by the Seoul metropolitan area ready-mix concrete transport union, saying there is a serious concern that, if the situation drags on, the damage will spread to the entire national economy.
The six major business groups — The Federation of Korean Industries, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea Enterprises Federation, the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises, and the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea (FOMEK) — said in a joint statement on the 11th that they express deep concern over the collective refusal to transport by the Seoul metropolitan area ready-mix concrete transport union, which is causing enormous disruption not only at construction sites but across industries.
The business groups said that although the ready-mix concrete industry is in a difficult situation, with capacity utilization failing to reach even 14% due to volume cuts and with rising costs such as fuel prices, it previously reached an agreement with the labor union in consideration of the national economy, and that it is regrettable that this transport refusal began by breaking that hard-won labor-management agreement.
The Seoul metropolitan area ready-mix concrete transport union effectively began a strike (a suspension of transport operations) on the 8th, demanding increases in transport rates. On the 10th, the union held a vote on a tentative labor-management agreement, but it was voted down.
Ready-mix concrete is a core material in the construction industry, and if its supply is disrupted, work stoppages at major infrastructure facilities are unavoidable. The business groups noted that, in particular, the Seoul metropolitan area is concentrated with construction sites directly tied to the national economy and people's livelihoods, such as semiconductor plants and dwellings and infrastructure, raising serious concern that, if the situation is prolonged, the damage will spread to the entire national economy.
They added that, at a time when related industries are in crisis due to high inflation and a construction downturn, it is time to pool wisdom for overcoming the crisis and mutual prosperity rather than launching a transport refusal, and that immediate issues, including transport rates, should be addressed by seeking reasonable solutions through dialogue and compromise.
The six business groups said the government should actively step in to support an early resumption of negotiations, while also focusing on measures to stabilize ready-mix concrete supply and minimize damage at sites, and that the business community will actively cooperate so that stability at construction sites and timely investment in advanced industries can proceed without setbacks.