Kim Jong-in Shouted 'Equal Pay for Equal Work'... Can He Overcome Intra-Party Opposition?

People Power Party Pressures Government and Ruling Party on Labor Reform
Key Issues Include Sectoral Unions and Social Insurance System Overhaul
Im I-ja "Paradigm Shift Needed... Basic Income Also Must Be Considered"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The People Power Party is increasing pressure on the government and ruling party regarding labor reform. Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, mentioned the 1930s 'Swedish labor model' and expressed a positive stance on equal pay for equal work and the labor director system. In political circles, attention is focused on whether Chairman Kim's conviction will be reflected as the official position of the People Power Party, as the direction he proposed is considerably different from the party's existing stance.

Im E-ja, a People Power Party lawmaker in charge of the task force (TF) for revising labor relations laws, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 14th, "I also agree with equal pay for equal work," adding, "The labor director system seems more appropriate for public enterprises in terms of management participation rather than for private companies."

Chairman Kim held a labor policy discussion the day before with Kim Jong-chul, the newly appointed leader of the Justice Party. When Chairman Kim pointed out, "If you implement the labor director system, strengthen the social safety net, and allow sectoral labor union membership, various issues can be discussed, but nothing has come out," Chairman Kim responded, "If we review labor relations laws as a whole, naturally such discussions are inevitable." He also stated, "I firmly believe that equal pay for equal work must be implemented," and added, "Without political determination, the issue of non-regular workers can never be resolved."

The core of the labor reform advocated by the People Power Party includes flexibilization of working hours and wage systems, transition to a sectoral labor union system, and reform of the social insurance system. This reflects the recognition that labor relations laws must be revised to keep pace with the post-COVID-19 era and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Going forward, the People Power Party plans to form a TF including lawmakers from the party's Environment and Labor Committee, business circles, and labor representatives, and to begin full-scale labor reform discussions after the national audit.

Lawmaker Im said, "As we enter the post-COVID-19 era, a paradigm shift in labor and wages is necessary. We also need to consider things like basic income," adding, "If we remain trapped in the industrialization framework, we cannot keep up with the times." She continued, "The nationwide employment insurance promoted by the government and ruling party inevitably has blind spots," emphasizing the need to establish a system where the National Tax Service can impose and collect all social insurance, including employment and industrial accident insurance, national pension, and health insurance.

However, labor reform also faces internal resistance within the party. Party lawmakers have already begun pointing out the lack of communication from the emergency committee. On the 13th, Jang Je-won of the People Power Party criticized on Facebook, "Instead of opening a forum for discussion on the three economic laws, they try to lecture the opposing voices by saying 'I don't know if you really understand what you're talking about.' I don't know if it's a reprimand or politics," adding, "From the party name to the party color, it's all 'follow me.' Rigid factional politics is blocking the party's expansion."

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