From August 20 to 21, 2007 the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) coordinated an international conference to defend and promote the rights of migrant workers in South Korea. The conference was held in conjunction with the first anniversary of the Migrant Trade Union (MTU).

First of all, a rally was held to protest against the government's EPS policy. The event gathered migrant workers and supporters who marched to Myongdeung Cathedral, the historic site of many sit-downs conducted by migrant workers.

Afterwards a panel focused on the organizing strategies on migrant workers both regular and irregular. There was agreement that no one right model of organizing strategy worked and that different strategies needed to be implemented depending upon the circumstances of a particular country, company, community, and even the national origin of the migrant workforce.

The UGT of Spain, the MTUC, and the KTUC outlined their union’s response to migration policies as well as their union’s development in formulating a pro-migrant policy before a special focus panel highlighted the situation of migrant workers in South Korea.

A legal expert on migration law talked about the recent Seoul Appellate court decision which declared that irregular migrant workers can organize and join a trade union. The Court’s decision clearly contradicted the government’s position and legally legitimized the MTU - the union was denied union certification by the ministry of labour on the basis of its membership being irregular in 2006.

One statement was issued in support of former President of MTU who was arrested by the police immediately upon arrival at the Dhaka International Airport in Bangladesh on the guise of anti-South Korean and anti-government activities. Still under “house arrest”, he must report to the police station on his daily activities twice a week. The second statement focuses on the commitment of the participants to work together to defend and promote the rights of migrant workers.

The BWI was represented by two of its affiliates, the TEUPM of Malaysia and the Korean Federation of Construction Industry Trade Unions (KFCITU). The conference was supported by the BWI, ILO, and Alliance for Migrants’ Equality and Human Rights.