hankyoreh

A group of presidents from private universities in South Korea held a meeting on April 4 in which they adopted a resolution calling for an immediate end to the ongoing move to legally allow professors to unionize.

The move comes after lawmakers of an Environment & Labor Committee subcommittee at the National Assembly passed a bill last month that would allow professors of private colleges to organize labor unions.

The bill is slated for full committee deliberations in June.

The bill, initiated by Rep. Rhee Mok-hee of the pro-government Uri Party was unanimously approved by all lawmakers of the subcommittee, including those from the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP).

Woo Won-shik, who presided over the meeting in which the bill was passed, said, "As the number of colleges in the nation has increased excessively, the social status of professors has changed a lot."

"As many professors feel insecure of their employment and with monthly income for some of them is less than just 1 million won, we are pushing for the legalization of professors' unions," he said.

If approved by the National Assembly, the bill would allow around 60,000 professors including associate professors, assistant professors and full-time instructors working at 350 private colleges nationwide -- to join labor unions and work together to protect their benefits and employment.

A labor organization was first organized by private college professors in November 2001, but its membership stands at only 1,100 as it is deemed illegal by the government. Observers expect at least 20,000 professors will likely join labor organizations if the bill is finally approved.

However, the future of the bill is not as promising as expected as presidents of private colleges and some lawmakers are expressing opposition, saying that it could pose a threat to school management.

"If labor unions are legalized, it is very likely that school organizations including college professor associations will be dominated by union members," the Korea Private School Association said in a report.

"If so, school operating committees will also be swayed by unionized professors, who will eventually allow for the entry of outside members in management," it added.

Some lawmakers also expressed concerns. Rep. Lee Kyeong-jae of the GNP said, "In most colleges, presidents are elected through votes by professors, who themselves serve in major administrative posts."

"Considering the high social status of professors, it is inappropriate for them to organize labor unions, which are designed for the protection of benefits for underprivileged people," said Lee.

The Labor Ministry will unveil detailed plans related to the labor union issue by the end of June and float its proposal to the standing committee of labor and environment after sub-committee deliberations.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]