UAW calls for Korean’s release

In a March 9 letter to Korean President Roh Moo-hyan, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger urged the immediate release of Jeon Jae Hwan, president of the Korean Metal Workers’ Federation.

Gettelfinger wrote that Jeon Jae Hwan’s Feb. 25 arrest and detention by the Youngdeungpo police office in Seoul violated his fundamental rights.

“If your government truly respects democratic rights and principles, you will release Jeon Jae Hwan,” he wrote.

According to reports, Jeon Jae Hwan was arrested for participating in a December rally protesting legislation on temporary and contract workers that is now under consideration by the Korean government.

“There can be no justification for a democratic government arresting a citizen for engaging in public protest in opposition to government policies. This is a right and freedom that your government has endorsed,” Gettelfinger wrote, calling for the release and dismissal of all charges against him.

Chinese labor activist released

Twenty-four days short of serving a four-year sentence, the China Labor Bulletin reports that Xiao Yunliang was released from prison Feb. 23.

Xiao was one of two labor activists jailed for leading peaceful demonstrations protesting unpaid wages and benefits after the closure of the Liaoyang Ferroalloy Factory and five other factories.

During his imprisonment, Xiao suffered from virtual blindness in both eyes, chest pains and difficulty in breathing.

Yao Fuxin, who joined with Xiao in the peaceful demonstrations and was sentenced to seven years in prison, is not scheduled to be freed until March 2009. The UAW has fought to win the release of Xiao and Yao.

In letters to China’s leaders, the Chinese ambassador to the United States and the governor of the prison where Xiao was held, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger demanded the recognition of worker rights in China. He called for an end to the repression of those like Xiao and Yao who simply exercised the right to peaceful assembly to demand respect for internationally recognized worker rights and for the rights of Chinese workers under Chinese law.

The release of Xiao reminds us that Yao Fuxin and countless other Chinese labor activists remain in prison for exercising rights that China’s repressive government claims to respect.

The UAW commends Xiao Yunliang for his courage and strength in surviving four extremely difficult years in prison.

We renew our commitment to fighting for the release of Yao Fuxin and for the right of all Chinese workers who fight for justice and fair treatment from their government and an end to repression and the violation of their legal rights.

Jennifer John

U.S.-Thai trade agreement talks on hold

Political turmoil in Thailand has caused negotiators to suspend free-trade agreement talks with the United States. This means the soonest any potential agreement could reach Congress is during the fall campaign season when voters have the most power to pressure (or change) their representatives.

The prospect of a U.S.-Thailand free-trade agreement threatens the jobs of tens of thousands of UAW members who assemble pickup trucks or make their parts.

Thailand is the second-largest producer of pickups in the world, and elimination or substantial reduction of the 25 percent tariff on imports would flood the U.S. market with cheap pickups.

It is probable that an agreement would not go to Congress for approval until next year. If we do our work now and at election time, legislators won’t ratify an agreement that cuts truck tariffs.

Time is growing short for presidential fast-track authority to submit free-trade legislation to Congress for a simple yes or no vote without changes. Fast-track authority expires July 1, 2007.

Larry Gabriel