Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200806/20080615/article_363266.htm
Korean truck drivers strike over fuel cost
Created: 2008-6-15 0:10:09
THOUSANDS of South Korean truck drivers refused to work yesterday for the second straight day, disrupting operations at seaports and causing millions of dollars in export losses.
About 13,000 unionized truckers started a strike early on Friday, demanding the government increase fuel subsidies, help raise transportation charges and introduce a minimum wage, according to the Korean Cargo Workers' Union, which spearheaded the shutdown.
Some non-unionized truckers also took part in the walkout, said the union and the government.
On Friday, 24,690 containers were moved in or out of the country's largest port of Busan, compared with the daily average of 34,290 before the strike, according to the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs. Busan handles more than 70 percent of South Korea's container traffic.
Daily container traffic dropped by about 90 percent in the western port of Pyeongtaek and the southern port of Gwangyang, said ministry official Hong Seok-ku.
Local television footage showed the docks clogged with containers piled high upon each other.
About 13,000 unionized truckers started a strike early on Friday, demanding the government increase fuel subsidies, help raise transportation charges and introduce a minimum wage, according to the Korean Cargo Workers' Union, which spearheaded the shutdown.
Some non-unionized truckers also took part in the walkout, said the union and the government.
On Friday, 24,690 containers were moved in or out of the country's largest port of Busan, compared with the daily average of 34,290 before the strike, according to the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs. Busan handles more than 70 percent of South Korea's container traffic.
Daily container traffic dropped by about 90 percent in the western port of Pyeongtaek and the southern port of Gwangyang, said ministry official Hong Seok-ku.
Local television footage showed the docks clogged with containers piled high upon each other.
Agencies
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