World Value Survey

  I was wondering the difference of Labor Union between South Korea and other European countries so I choose Korean and Germany. 

  The most surprising of this graph is there is no special difference between two countries. More than 80% of workers said they are not a member of Labor Union. I understand why most Korean people are not member of Labor Union because the recognition of employees who are a member of Union is not good for employers and basically the labour force is weak in Korea(Actually, the figures of Korean worker of Labor Union are much bigger than I thought). Moreover, I thought if a countries's labour system is well constructed and their power is comparatively strong, there should be many the members of Labor Union. 

  Germany is one of that country in my thought. What is this figures? I need to search more detail about this.

         

Source : http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSOnline.jsp

Source : http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSOnline.jsp

 

  First of all, I need to acknowledge that the the stronger Capitalism is, the weaker labour force is. it is inevitable that labor force is going down because of capital. Because of economic crisis, influx of foreign works, increasing temporary workers, and other many factors, there are plenty of reason why labor union is slowing down.

  Germany have also decreased 5% of the number of members through a decade. This decrease also have a negative effect on wage. The rate of increase of real wage was lower than inflation rate. The rate of increase of real wage was the lowest figure in EU countries in 2000-2009. 

  However, a collective agreement and various measures from companies was able to stabilize the conditions of labour. Especially agreement of flexibility of working hours,  companies agreement for stabilization of employment and agreement of employees about wage concession play a big role for stabilization during global financial recession.

  The Labour Union of Germany was oriented from 19C. Having been through long history, the union has been well constructing in Germany I think. Of course it is not enough to cover all type of workers in Germany so nowadays they are trying to protect temporary workers. 

Even if the figures look similar between two countries, I think there are many difference when you see more deeply. (in 2013, Korea says there are 10.3% that joined Labour Union, so that figure needs to be adjusted, I think). Capitalism in South Korea have been growing unhappily. I think we have developed by sacrifice of employees. After 1960s,The growth of economy was focused on major companies and aid from USA. It accompanied with ignoring of workers. They worked in a harsh work environment and their working hour was abnormal of course the wage was unreasonable. It was historical event that Korean worker named Jeon Taeil burned himself to death for better work condition in 1970. People say South Korea is one of the fastest economical growing nation but we ignore their sacrifice. Understandably, labour movement have been being really weak. I think basically, the value of labour in Korea is low because of history of Korean economic system.

 That's why even if figure looks similar with Germany, the actual figures that consist of labour condition such as working hours, minimum wages, conditions of temporary or female workers etc. are totally different.

People say capitalism in Germany as 'Capitalism with human face'. Capitalism is cold. But at least I think every subjects of economy in Germany (Government, Companies, Workers whoever..) are respectful each other and try to coexist. On the other hand, in South Korea there is no actual political voice for labour and the recognition is not good as well. we have long way to go forward.