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Truck drivers to return to work as strike continues
SEOUL, June 19 (Yonhap) -- Thousands of South Korean container truck drivers are expected to return to work Thursday, but many truckers continued a crippling strike for a seventh day, refusing to accept government proposals to address soaring fuel costs.
According to the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs, around 15,000 container trucks are expected to resume service from Thursday afternoon as their representatives, consignors and consignees agreed to raise haulage rates, a key issue behind the labor strike.
The decision comes amid a series of reports that truckers have reached deals with a growing number of major shippers including LG Chem, POSCO and Glovis to end their strike, raising hopes that the week-long disruption in the logistics industry would be resolved sooner than expected.
Over 13,000 unionized truckers from the Korea Cargo Worker Union (KCWU) walked off the job Friday, demanding the government take measures to ease their financial woes arising from soaring fuel prices.
The action has been disrupting operations at major ports and dealing a heavy blow to the country's export-driven economy. According to the government's latest estimate, the labor strike has cost the nation about US$5.92 billion in lost trade.
In a press conference Tuesday, Transportation Minister Chung Jong-hwan proposed that the government spend more than 100 billion won ($97.2 million) to buy trucks and help convert diesel-powered engines to use less costlier liquefied natural gas, a move designed to help cut operating costs.
The minister also said that the government is willing to give more discounts on highway tolls to reduce outlays for the country's nearly 3 million commercial vehicle drivers.
As of Wednesday morning, the Transportation Ministry estimated that around 11,933 truckers were still on strike.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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