July 17, 2006, 1:53AM
SEOUL, South Korea — More than 80 people have been injured in scuffles the last several days between police and striking workers who are occupying the headquarters of South Korean steelmaker Posco, police and media reports said Monday.
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Since Thursday, about 1,500 construction workers from Posco's subcontracting companies have been staging a sit-in at the 12-story building, demanding better wages.
Posco, the world's fifth-largest steelmaker, says it has no direct connection with the workers, but is losing 10 billion won (US$10.5 million; euro8.3 million) a day because of the strike. Posco workers have been unable to enter the building during the takeover.
On Sunday, 55 police were hurt in a violent protest by construction workers, who wielded bamboo sticks near the Posco headquarters in Pohang, about 370 kilometers (230 miles) southeast of Seoul, Kim Tae-ho, an officer at the Pohang Nambu Police Station said. Another eight police officers were injured Monday.
One officer's neck was pierced by a bamboo stick, but Kim said the injury was not life-threatening.
Meanwhile, about 20 of the striking workers have been hurt, Yonhap News Agency reported.
One worker was in serious condition at a local hospital with brain hemorrhage sustained over the weekend, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions said on its Web site.
At 11 p.m. Sunday, police made another attempt _ their second in as many days _ to remove the workers, but were pushed back by the striking workers, who poured hot water on the police and wielded burning sticks, Kim said.
About 6,800 riot police were guarding the building, but it was unclear whether or when they would move into the building again, he said.
The workers have been occupying the building after negotiations with their companies for higher wages and better working conditions failed. The strikers are believed to have taken over the building to dramatize their protest.