손경식, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, Meets with National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee Chair: "Urgent Need for Corporate Support Including Employment Retention Subsidies"

Visit of Song Okju, Chairperson of the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee, on the 21st

Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik of the Korea Employers Federation is visiting Song Ok-ju, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee, on the 21st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, met with Song Ok-joo, Chairwoman of the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee, on the 21st to once again emphasize the need for corporate support measures such as employment retention subsidies.

On the morning of the 21st, Chairman Sohn visited Chairwoman Song at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, saying, "With the COVID-19 pandemic making job issues the top priority, I understand the burden must be very heavy as you take on the role of chairing the Environment and Labor Committee, which is responsible for employment-related legislation. Now that the National Assembly has normalized, I ask that you carefully review contentious bills and continuously consider corporate support measures, including employment retention subsidies."

In particular, Chairman Sohn expressed concerns regarding the amendment to the Labor Union Act related to the ILO core conventions. He stated, "There is significant corporate concern that the bill will deepen the imbalance of power in labor-management relations. Therefore, I hope you will carefully review and ensure comprehensive legal and institutional improvements that balance power between labor and management, such as improving the unfair labor practices system and allowing substitute labor, in line with strengthening the rights of workers and labor unions."

Chairman Sohn pointed out, "Recently, the corporate environment is undergoing industrial restructuring and significant changes in work methods due to the external factor of COVID-19 amid the changes brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Although proactive corporate responses are more necessary than ever, it is a reality that companies find it difficult to respond flexibly regarding working hours." He added, "While the 20th National Assembly shortened working hours to 52 hours per week, complementary measures such as flexible working hours and selective working hours were not improved together, so I ask that these be reviewed promptly for legislation."

He also requested, "Next year's minimum wage was decided to increase by 1.5% due to the impact of COVID-19, but please also consider improvement measures such as sectoral and regional differentiation to ensure the minimum wage operates realistically."

Finally, Chairman Sohn said, "Many contentious issues in the Environment and Labor Committee involve divided interests and often have a significant impact on the international competitiveness of our companies depending on the legislative direction. The business community will also do its best for economic recovery and job creation."

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