Sanctions against trade union workers

In 1990, a South Korean independent trade union federation was declared illegal, its leaders arrested or forced into hiding. Even legal unions are reportedly subject to harassment, detention of their leaders, and beatings by company thugs, with little police intervention. A 1991 report targets Columbia, Guatemala and El Salvador as the most dangerous countries for trade unionists, who are often accused of collaborating with guerrilla movements. The report also cites China, the Philippines, South Korea, Sudan and Turkey for repressive and violent sanctions against trade union workers.