Son Dong-hwa, center, head of the National Civilian Military Employees Solidarity, speaks during a press conference in Seoul, in this file photo taken April 20. Yonhap
A group of civilian military employees said Friday it will file a complaint with the International Labor Organization (ILO) against the Korean government for labor rights violations.
The National Civilian Military Employee Solidarity plans to file the complaint to the ILO's Committee on Freedom of Association, accusing the government of restricting their right to unionize despite their civilian status.
"Civilian military employees are special civil servants and undeniably laborers, not soldiers, but the reality is grim," the group said in a press conference in Seoul.
It accused the government of excluding them from a law on labor unions of public servants, and subjecting them to military laws and "excessive" regulations, such as fitness tests.
In response, the defense ministry said civilian workers are restricted from engaging in union activities as they are members of the armed forces under the Framework Act on Military Status and Service.
It added that it has no plans to assign combat missions to civilian employees.
Source: Korea Times News
