VICTORY! NHRC OCCUPATION IS OVER!

Yesterday, December 21st, after an intense round of negotations with the Chief of the Korean National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Migrants' Trade Union of Korea officially ended their 17 day occupation of the Korean National Human Rights Office. They started their occupation demanding the release of their union president, Anwar Hossain, and agreed to leave only after securing the following from the KNRHC:

First, the KNHRC has promised officially to back the MTU as a legtimate and legal trade union in Korea. To this end, they will lobby the Korean government to register the MTU as an official trade union, thus guaranteeing to the MTU the three most basic labor rights: the right form union, the right to collective bargaining and the right to strike. Since its inception, the Korean government has deemed the MTU an illegal organization because its member are living in Korea without a working visa.

Second, the KNHRC as agreed to make a commission on Migrants' Rights- an official branch of the human rights office devoted soley to migrants' issues. In this commission, migrant workers will have representation and direct input into the KNHRC's statements and policies on migrant workers throught the MTU.

Though they did not secure the release of Anwar, they achieved a great victory for their union. The MTU thanks everyone for the support they have given over the last 17 days. Your letters and solidarity statements helped make this victory possible. Please continue to send letters to the Minister of Justice and demand the release of our union president, Anwar Hossain.

Let's fight together!

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