Advocating for Fair Compensation: The Need for a Writer’s Union to Address Manuscript Fees

2023-10-08 12:00:00

Author: “The reality is that the manuscript fee has not increased for 20 years” [이슈 속으로]

Article entered 2023-10-08 21:00:00 Article modified 2023-10-08 19:31:33 Metaphor writer pushing for union establishment The reality is that it is structurally difficult for writers to receive proper compensation, but while writers point out social contradictions, they cannot voice their own working conditions. “Over the past 20 years, the cost of living, including food and transportation costs, has risen a lot, but why have writers’ manuscript fees barely increased? “How long will writers have to work at a price that does not reflect the inflation rate and does not properly reflect their career, seniority, and job experience?” On the 20th of last month, writer Eoo Yoo (52, photo) responded to a reporter’s question about the reason and background for the establishment of a writer’s union and said, “I was skeptical about the reality that even if someone speaks out, it is not properly reflected.” The following is a Q&A with author Eun. ―What is the awareness or motivation behind the push for a writer’s union? “I just received a request for a manuscript from a magazine company, but I declined it. He writes on 15 pages of manuscript paper, and he said the manuscript fee is 200,000 won. He has been writing as a freelancer since 2005, and his manuscript fees have not increased at all. At that time, 15 sheets of manuscript paper cost about 200,000 won, and it is the same now. Structurally, it is difficult to get the right price. Even if someone speaks out, it is not reflected well. There was always skepticism about this reality. “I always had an awareness of the problem of creating a writer’s union quickly, but I couldn’t do it because I was busy living from day to day.” ―What is the atmosphere and reaction at the scene? “Some friends contact me, and some share my posts on Facebook. I think everyone was feeling this problem, thinking, “Isn’t this the case?” It seems like they are grateful that someone steps up in a situation where self-alienation occurs. The author is a person who writes about social structures and contradictions, but I think it is very ironic that he cannot actually speak out about his own working conditions. Since the artists were scattered and worked individually, there was no opportunity to meet them. Also, I think there were many writers who were suffering internally because they couldn’t speak up even if they wanted to, for fear of being disadvantaged.” -What are the specific qualifications for union membership? “There is a debate about how to define a writer. “I think legal and specific matters, such as qualification requirements and membership fees, will be decided through detailed internal discussions.” ―Future outlook, direction, and major schedules. “Last March, several people who were aware of the problem opened a group chat room and started talking. So far, we’ve asked everyone who is interested to gather and said hello. Last September, writers from each field gathered for the first time and held a meeting. (We are recruiting participants for the writers’ union preparatory committee.) I think we will move forward one step at a time after discussing what the next step should be. “I’m going to try as hard as I can.”
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