The Asian Transnational Corporation Monitoring Network (ATNC), a network of more than 37 organizations, trade unions and social movements across Asia, condemns the brutal police action on the workers at the Ssangyong factory. We stand in solidarity with the workers and their struggle. Since July 16, management and the Police at the plant have blocked all food from entering the factory. On July 19, medical doctors and nurses were blocked from entering the compound. There are hundreds of workers in need of medical attention, after repeated assaults by the police using brutally violent means, along with corrosive chemicals. On July 22, riot police entered the factory compound with court officials and creditors who tried to deliver a forced eviction order. The police surrounded the paint factory where 800 workers are sitting in on the 63rd day of their strike. Over 3,000 riot police and around 30 vehicles including water cannons, ladder trucks and helicopters have been mobilized for this operation. After news came in that police had started to advance into the compound, it was learned that the wife of the KMWU Ssangyong Motors Branch policy director had committed suicide. She was the 28-year old mother of an 8 months old baby and of a four-year old child. She suffered stress and anxiety from receiving subpoenas and a warrant for her husband’s arrest. The situation is dire at the moment. We have reports that indicate that a large number of workers have broken bones, skin problems from the spraying of corrosive chemicals by the police. The lack of food, water and medical help is leading to a situation that is not only appalling but in total contravention of all principles of human rights. We hold the government responsible for this brutal and barbaric state of affairs. The ATNC network demands an immediate halt to police assaults, the access to food, water and medical help to the workers, and to restart negotiations with the unions and management.

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