Financial Strain, Workplace Injustice, Poor Health: Findings of the 2018 Survey among Workers Filed Strategic Lawsuits against Labor Union Activities in South Korea

Abstract

Strategic lawsuit and sequestration against labor union members (SLALU) have been an emerging issue in South Korea. However, no studies on the health of workers facing SLALU have been conducted. To investigate the characteristics of SLALU and the health status of workers under SLALU, we analyzed a nationwide survey about workers sued by SLALU (N=231) carried by Sonjabgo (NGO) in South Korea, 2018. This research found that 75.3% (N=174) answered the amount of compensation in SLALU was more than a billion Korean won. The most frequent reason for SLALU was ‘interference with business from occupation.’ In terms of unfair labor practices, 51.3% (N=119) reported ‘I received an unfavorable evaluation because of my union activities’, and 29.7% (N=69) ‘They conciliate or threaten me commenting SLALU.’ The respondents took up 74.1% (N=149) that union members reduced more than half during SLALU. Considering the health status, SPRs were significantly higher among workers under SLALU in every health condition. Our findings show that SLALU may play an important role in the decline of union members and workplace injustice.