학교 비정규직 총파업, 4천여개 학교 급식중단...광화문서 공공부문 비정규직 총파업 집회 열려<br /><br />Non-regular workers at South Korean schools have kicked off a nationwide strike, demanding higher wages and fair treatment. <br />They are part of a larger strike being staged by irregular workers in the public sector, who also held a massive rally in Seoul earlier today.<br />Yoon Jung-min reports.<br />Calling for an end to wage discrimination, an alliance of non-permanent workers at elementary and secondary schools began a three-day strike nationwide on Wednesday.<br />More than 50-thousand workers reportedly participated in the walkout,...including cafeteria cooks, dietitians and administrative assistants for teachers.<br />The workers have been calling for a basic pay increase of about six percent,...or some 80 percent of the salary earned by the government's lowest-ranking civil servants.<br />However, authorities have drawn the line at a wage increase of 1.8 percent.<br />The three-day walkout could get longer if they fail to reach an agreement.<br />Nearly 44 percent of schools across the country, or 4-thousand-601 schools were not able to provide lunch for their students.<br />The majority of affected schools provided substitute food, including bread and milk to students,... while some students had to bring lunch from home.<br />"I had difficulties going to work this morning. I had to prepare lunch for my kids. I hope the situation gets back to normal soon so that children can get proper meals as usual."<br />Other schools, mostly middle and high schools, have not arranged alternative options, as most schools finish early this week due to final examinations.<br />As for after-school daycare services, teachers and regular school employees were mobilized to cover for the workers participating in the walkout.<br />On the same day, tens of thousands of non-regular workers in the public sector held a rally in Seoul,... demanding an end to discrimination and urging the government to reclassify them as regular workers, as promised.<br />Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.<br />
