PSI(국제공공노련)사무총장, “국제노동기구(ILO)와 OECD에 공무원노조 설립신고문제 제기”
국제공공노련(PSI)는 3월15일 공식서한을 통해 이명박 대통령에게 “한국 정부가 전국공무원노동조합에 취한 태도에 대해 우려를 표명한다”고 밝혔다.
PSI 사무총장 피터 월도프는 이 대통령에게 보낸 서한문을 통해 “양질의 공공서비스를 지키기 위한 평화적 노조활동에 참여했다는 이유로 한국정부가 노동조합 간부 및 조합원을 징계한 사실에 대하 우리는 지속적으로 문제제기를 했다”면서 “귀 정부는 집권 이래 공공부문 노동자들의 단결권과 협상권을 계속 침해해왔다”고 꼬집었다.
또한 공무원이 정부정책에 대해 비판하는 것을 일체 금지한 ‘공무원 복무규정’ 개정과 ‘노조설립신고 반려’를 예로 들며 “표현의 자유를 보장해야 하며 정부의 경제적, 사회적 정책을 비판하고자 할 때 이를 보장해야 한다”, “설립신고를 정부가 거부하면서 서류 보완을 부당하게 계속 요구하는 것은 용납될 수 없는 일”이라고 못 박았다.
PSI는 “이런 정부의 행동은 대한민국 헌법과 민주주의의 기본원칙을 위배하는 것이며, UN 의사표현의 자유 특별보고관이 공무원노조에 대한 탄압을 반대하는 입장을 냈다는 사실을 한국정부가 상기하기 바란다”며 한국정부의 노동 탄압을 수위 높게 질책했다.
이어 PSI는 공무원노조 탄압과 관련해 실질적인 행동도 보일 것임을 시사했다. 서한문은 “공무원노조의 설립신고를 받아들이고, 정부의 개입과 위협 없이 결사·표현의 자유를 보장받기 위한 모든 조치를 취할 것”을 요구한다면서 “국제노동기구(ILO)와 OECD에 이 문제를 적극 제기할 것을 (한국정부에) 알린다”고 끝 맺었다.
한편 국제공공노련(PSI) 아시아태평양지역 집행위원회는 지난해 12월3일 필리핀 마닐라에서 한국정부의 공공부문노조 탄압 중단을 요구하는 특별결의문도 채택한 바 있다. 이번 서한문은 공무원노조에 대한 한국정부의 탄압이 아시아태평양 지역의 문제만이 아니라 국제노동계가 공식적인 문제로 삼을 것임을 시사하는 것이어서 파장이 일 것으로 예상된다.
아래는 서한문 원문.
| 15 March 2010
Dear Mr President,
Arrest of union members and search of trade union headquarters
Public Services International (PSI), which represents 20 million public service workers through its 600 affiliates in more than 150 countries and territories, including your own, wants to express again its concern about your government’s behaviour towards the members of the government employees’ trade union.
Over recent years, PSI has drawn your attention a number of times to disciplinary measures taken against trade union leaders and members who had taken part in peaceful union actions in support of quality public services in your country. Since coming into power, your government has pursued an agenda of downsizing the public sector and outsourcing public services.
This has been marked by a sustained attack on the rights of public sector workers to organise and bargain collectively.
According to our information, in 2009, the government sued and reprimanded government employees who participated in a rally for “Restoring Democracy and Improving People’s Livelihood”.
Further, public officials who published a newspaper advertisement under the title of "We want to become civil servants of the people" were persecuted.
The government has sued 16 officials and directed governmental bodies to which concerned officials belong to discipline 105 employees. So far 51 officials have been disciplined, including 17 who were dismissed.
On November 24 2009, a bill was issued which would revise government employees’ working rules so that “public officials are banned from opposing government policies”.
One of the fundamental principles of freedom of association is that workers should enjoy adequate protection against all acts of anti-union discrimination in respect of their employment, including dismissal, demotion, transfer or other prejudicial and disciplinary measures.
PSI reiterates the view of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) that freedom of expression which should be enjoyed by trade unions and their leaders should also be guaranteed when they wish to criticise the government’s economic and social policy.
The refusal, by your government, to accept the registration of the newly formed Korean Government Employees’ Union (KGEU) following the merger of three government employees’ trade unions, and the unjustified imposition of additional requirements, including the amendment of the union’s organisational rules, are unacceptable and clear affronts to the right to freedom of association and the right to organise.
This stance is a violation of basic rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and a denial of the principles of democracy.
PSI reminds your government of the recommendations in an inspection report released by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to revise the Public Officials Act banning basic labour rights of government employees, and the message of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression against suppression of the government employees’ union in relation to their political expression.
PSI calls on the competent authorities to suspend all prejudicial measures against KGEU members and leaders. and to officially register the KGEU. PSI also urges your government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the members of the Korean Government Employees’ Union may exercise their right to freedom of association, including the right to freedom of expression and right toassembly, without fear of intervention by the authorities.
PSI fully intends to bring this matter to the attention of the ILO and the OECD.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Waldorff
General Secretary
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