Use "Support for Isolated Persons' Livelihood" Labor "Refrain from Gatherings"... Labor, Management, and Government United to Overcome COVID-19

by Kim Bokyung

Published 06 Mar.2020 10:33(KST)

Declaration on Overcoming the Crisis Due to COVID-19 Spread
Containing Roles and Actions to Prevent Economic Slowdown and Labor Market Recession

On the 6th, government, economic, and labor representatives attended the 'Declaration of Tripartite Agreement to Overcome the COVID-19 Crisis' held at the Economic, Social and Labor Council in Jongno-gu, Seoul. From the left: Kim Sang-jo, Chief Presidential Secretary for Policy; Park Yong-man, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation; Kim Dong-myeong, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Lee Jae-gap, Minister of Employment and Labor; Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs; Moon Sung-hyun, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The tripartite parties have come together in rare unity to overcome the economic impact caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and to promote employment stability. The business sector pledged to work on measures to protect the livelihoods of workers under self-quarantine, while the labor sector agreed to cooperate in resolving labor-management issues by adjusting the timing and duration of wage and collective bargaining negotiations. However, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which represents a major part of the labor movement, did not participate in this declaration, making it difficult to avoid criticism that the agreement is only partial.

On the morning of the 6th, seven representatives of labor, management, and government announced the "Tripartite Agreement Declaration to Overcome the Crisis Caused by the Spread of COVID-19" at the Economic, Social and Labor Council in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Attending the declaration ceremony were Moon Sung-hyun, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council; Kim Dong-myeong, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions; Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation; Park Yong-man, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business; Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; Lee Jae-gap, Minister of Employment and Labor; and Kim Sang-jo, Chief Presidential Secretary for Policy, as a special guest.

This agreement originated from concerns that the COVID-19 crisis could lead to economic slowdown and labor market stagnation. Chairman Moon Sung-hyun expressed gratitude, saying, "I thank the tripartite parties for coming together with a spirit of coexistence and cooperation, making concessions step by step." He added, "I hope the spirit of today's labor-management agreement declaration will extend to individual companies, regions, and industries, so that the damages caused by COVID-19 can be resolved promptly."

First, the business sector agreed to provide sufficient rest to workers under self-quarantine and to make efforts to establish minimum livelihood protection measures. They will also maintain measures to close affected locations for a certain period according to health authorities' guidelines when confirmed cases occur. The labor sector agreed to refrain from large-scale events and rallies for the time being and to flexibly adjust the timing and duration of wage and collective bargaining negotiations. They also promised to actively cooperate in resolving labor-management issues at industrial sites through dialogue and concessions.

In particular, the tripartite parties agreed to focus on preventing livelihood insecurity and unemployment among workers due to the COVID-19 impact and to promote employment stability. Instead of workforce reductions, labor and management pledged to actively implement and cooperate on measures such as adjusting working hours, reorganizing shift systems, and granting leaves of absence to maintain employment. The government plans to support these employment retention efforts by expanding employment retention subsidies and strengthening livelihood support such as loans for vulnerable groups and support for wage claims. Additionally, to prevent business deterioration among small business owners, the government announced plans to ease tax burdens and ensure that emergency business stabilization funds are effectively executed on the ground. Furthermore, the tripartite parties agreed to participate in campaigns to revitalize the local economy, such as using local currency and Onnuri gift certificates.

An agreement was also reached to prevent COVID-19 within workplaces and protect workers. Labor and management will strive to apply COVID-19 prevention measures equally to subcontracted and dispatched workers without discrimination and to prevent hatred and discrimination against confirmed cases, quarantined individuals, and foreign workers. They will work together to utilize staggered commuting, remote and telecommuting, and flexible work options, while the government will do its utmost to support these efforts by labor and management.

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Meanwhile, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which has become the largest trade union with 968,000 members, did not join this declaration. The KCTU continues to refuse dialogue with the government, maintaining its stance of non-participation in the Economic, Social and Labor Council.

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This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.