Prime Minister Jeong: "If Labor and Management Make Concessions and Show Consideration Like Kumho Express, Crisis Can Be Overcome"

8th Thursday Dialogue... 2nd Tripartite Representative Meeting Held
"The End of Negotiation is the 'Time for Decision'... Please Bear the Fruits of Dialogue"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and representatives of labor, management, and government are exchanging opinions ahead of the "Labor-Management-Government Representatives Meeting to Overcome the COVID-19 Crisis" held on the 20th of last month at the Prime Minister's official residence in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 18th, "I have been in many negotiation meetings, but it was always the 'time for decision' at the end," adding, "Since the public's expectations are high, I hope to bear the fruits of dialogue as soon as possible."

On the same day, Prime Minister Chung held the 8th Thursday Dialogue with representatives of labor, management, and government at the Samsungdang residence in Seoul, stating, "I hope that the labor-management-government agreement will be reached as soon as possible."

This Thursday Dialogue was the 2nd meeting of the 'Labor-Management-Government Representatives Meeting for Overcoming the COVID-19 Crisis,' launched on the 20th of last month. It was organized to share the progress of discussions so far and to broaden trust and understanding among the representatives.

Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "Like the case of Kumho Express, a labor-management win-win company, if labor and management and labor and labor make concessions and show consideration, we can overcome the crisis together."

Kumho Express has been facing difficulties such as a 60% decrease in passengers in March compared to the previous year due to the impact of COVID-19. However, labor and management agreed to protect jobs. Executives and office workers have returned part of their wages and are using unpaid leave and annual leave, while crew members are implementing paid leave on a rotating basis.

Regarding the efforts of labor and management on the ground to unite their hearts to overcome the crisis and protect jobs, Prime Minister Chung said, "Labor, management, and government participating in social dialogue at the central level should lend their strength," adding, "The government plans to actively review and cooperate with the National Assembly, especially on matters agreed upon proactively by labor and management."

The representatives of labor, management, and government attending the Thursday Dialogue agreed on the need for a prompt agreement and pledged to engage in discussions with greater speed.

Prime Minister Chung said that even after the labor-management-government representatives meeting ends, "I will invite labor representatives on various topics to the Thursday Dialogue to create a forum for communication and cooperation."

Meanwhile, the meeting was attended by Prime Minister Chung, 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 (KEF), Park Yong-man, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, Lee Jae-gap, Minister of Employment and Labor, among others. Moon Sung-hyun, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, and Kim Yong-gi, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Jobs, also attended as observers.

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