After 22 Years, Tripartite Dialogue: Will It Bear Fruit? ... Rough Road Expected from the Start

40-Minute Meeting Led by Prime Minister to Discuss Operational Plans
Working-Level Consultative Body to Narrow Differences Before Representatives Agree
"Tripartite Dialogue Just Began... Agreement Outcome Uncertain"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Labor, management, and government representatives are sitting at the social dialogue table to overcome the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) crisis. It is the first time in 22 years since the 1998 IMF financial crisis that both major trade union federations participate in a tripartite meeting. However, rough roads are expected from the start as opinions diverge over solutions to maintain employment in the industrial field.

According to the government on the 20th, the 'Tripartite Representative Meeting to Overcome the COVID-19 Crisis' will be held in the afternoon at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, presided over by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun. Attendees include Kim Myung-hwan, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU); Kim Dong-myung, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU); Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation; Park Yong-man, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; Lee Jae-gap, Minister of Employment and Labor; and others representing labor, management, and government. In addition, Moon Sung-hyun, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, and Kim Yong-gi, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Job Creation, will also attend.

This is the first time since the launch of the Tripartite Commission in 1998 during the IMF financial crisis that economic actors including the two major trade unions discuss national crisis response measures. The KCTU had refused to participate in dialogue since withdrawing from the Tripartite Commission the following year but proposed a one-point tripartite dialogue to resolve the employment crisis caused by COVID-19. Subsequently, Prime Minister Chung encouraged participation from the business community and the FKTU, forming a complete tripartite dialogue body for the first time in 22 years.

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

The meeting is expected to serve as an introductory session to discuss future schedules and consultation methods. The meeting will be held briefly for about 40 minutes starting at 2:20 p.m. A Ministry of Employment and Labor official explained, "It will be a session to discuss the operational plan on how to proceed with the tripartite representative meetings going forward," adding, "Since a plenary session of the National Assembly is scheduled at 3 p.m. that day, government officials will have to be on standby at the National Assembly."

Since it is not easy for tripartite representatives to gather in one place, it is highly likely that a working-level consultative body will be formed to discuss agenda items in detail. A KCTU official said, "The tripartite working-level staff will narrow differences on each agenda item, then hold a representative meeting where the representatives make the final decisions to reach an agreement." He added, "We will try to speed up discussions as much as possible to prevent workers on the ground from suffering, but we do not intend to set a deadline for agreement," and further stated, "We will go through various processes such as sharing field situations to ensure that the agreement is not rushed."

However, voices cautioning against overly optimistic expectations are emerging. The labor sector insists that legislation banning layoffs and the introduction of a universal employment insurance system should be prioritized, while the government has set the principle of 'employment maintenance based on labor-management agreement.' The employment insurance system is also scheduled to be gradually expanded starting next year, beginning with artists. A government official said, "The tripartite dialogue body has just taken its first step," adding, "It is uncertain whether a proper agreement can be reached as opinions diverge on specific issues."

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