제자의 ‘이주노동’ 강의를 기다리며 [하종강 칼럼]

The young scholar awaited his teacher's "이주노동" lecture, having arrived at the train station. He was once the student president at school, now working in a labor union. As he explained his recent situation, he mentioned that attendance during class was often handled by a peer who claimed to have worked on a holiday trip the previous day.

On April 17th and May 19th, students attended rallies related to the Sewol ferry disaster and the May 18th Gwangju uprising. A student explained, "I came today, but all the senior club members have been detained, and there are only first-year students left. I haven't created any incentives or replacement materials." The scholar's memory returned of the shame he felt when his students faced punishment, even though he had taught them.

He proposed paying the penalty in the form of guerilla labor, but the students refused. The scholar then observed as the students entered the waiting area, each paying the equivalent amount of labor. After the meeting, the scholar asked the young man about his absence. The young man replied, "I've left for the workforce. I'm now working as a civil servant."

They both laughed at how his grades improved quickly after he graduated. The young man recently joined the impeached labor union, where he is now working on contract extension issues. The company management had threatened to deport the impeached laborer and his family, but labor union members in other companies faced no such repercussions.

The labor union requested government intervention, but the question now arises whether to label the labor union as either democratic or social. Regardless of registration status, any laborer receiving wages should have the right to join a union, which can take a considerable time. The National Human Rights Commission already advises using the term "unregistered laborer" instead of "illegal entrant."

The following day, the scholar contacted the young labor activist about the unfair labor practices faced by impeached laborers. The activist answered, "I'm sorry, I'm currently working in the field." As the scholar, his duty is to learn from the activist.