KHMU, the largest healthcare union at the national level, held a regular convention to confirm the activity plans for this year from February 25 to 26. The convention made a confirmation on core requests in their fight: ▲ overcome COVID-19 and establish an infectious disease response system ▲ root out illegal medical practices in hospitals ▲ secure public medical services ▲ increase medical manpower ▲ ensure atypical workers become permanent workers ▲ adopt the 32hours workweek system ▲improve the night shift system.

The KHMU President Na Soon-ja said, “we can’t stand firm any longer. And that’s why we have been protesting in front of the Blue House for almost a month, demanding more workers for COVID-19 hospitals, personnel criteria by severity of symptoms and life allowance. Until now, the government has taken only ad-hoc actions but now we need an established infectious disease response system in all directions. COVID-19 pandemic has clearly illustrated how much and where the public medical services lack and should improve.” She also added, “we will develop more militant fights to secure and strengthen public medical services thereby accomplishing substantial results.” 

At the same time, to make sure KHMU, the industry level union should play its part well, we at the union will form an improved negotiation structure to upgrade working conditions, fighting for other social challenges such as aging population, inequality and climate change.

The convention made a deliberation on 2020 activity reviews, closing accounts and budget for year 2021. Plus, a new permanent Collective Bargaining Committee was established by the convention.

During the two-day convention, KHMU confirmed major five activities for the year 2021.

Delegates adopted the resolution titled with “Industrial general strike will change the site and get over COVID-19!”and they shared their commitment for strong struggles in order to overcome COVID-19, reform the current healthcare system, secure more health workers and public medical services, root out illegal medical practices, improve a work-shift system and reduce working hours. In addition, they also adopted a special resolution for climate change that says the healthcare industry and the workers will be at the forefront to bring about substantial changes.

Meanwhile, before the convention, the commemorative ceremony for the 23^rd anniversary was held and the 9^th leadership was elected. At the ceremony, the advisory committee members such as Park Moon-jin, Hong Myeong-ock and Yoo Ji-hyun came up on the stage to greet the delegates and share some words. Awards were given to an regional head office and a branch, an union member and an union club which have shown best examples.

[Annex] Major Activities for 2021

1.    Overcome COVID 19 and establish an infectious disease response system