| dc.description.abstract | The independent migrant workers’ movement in South Korea, represented by the Migrant Trade Union, is an example of a unique formation in South Korea. Thus, it is of interest to us as a subject of academic research. The MTU is the first legalized migrant-based umbrella organization for all the migrant workers in South Korea struggling to protect their rights and improve their working conditions. After the MTU separated from the South Korean NGOs and established their own union, they have had to maneuver between the South Korean public sphere, the South Korean government, and society at large to achieve their goals. To gain a better understanding of the MTU and its interaction with the surrounding environment, their means of manifestation of demands, requests, discontent, and opinion were chosen to be analyzed. In the scope of this study, protest placards used by migrant workers and their performative activities were examined to identify their strategies, central purposes, and tactics, since they best reflect the essence of any type of organization. The results of the research revealed principal audiences the MTU is addressing and for what purposes, the major obstacles they are facing while defending their liberties, and the nature of the cooperation with the South Korean public sphere. Moreover, the results demonstrated challenges to engage the South Korean society to support their movement and aspirations to create a unified migrant worker identity. | eng |