People Power Party's Labor Law Revision TF Faces 'Difficulties'... Labor Sector Shows Little Interest

KCTU "No Official Request"
Kim Jong-in Ends Without Persuasion Success

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, ambitiously launched labor reform, but the party's task force (TF) for revising labor-related laws is facing difficulties from the outset. Although the People Power Party requested labor organizations to participate in the TF, the participation of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) remains uncertain. As a result, the TF is likely to be launched as a half-measure without labor's involvement.

Im E-ja, a People Power Party lawmaker in charge of the TF, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 3rd, "If the labor sector participates, their voices can be reflected a lot," but added, "If the FKTU does not participate, there is nothing we can do. Even if they don't participate, isn't labor reform something we have to do?" Initially, the People Power Party planned to form the TF centered on lawmakers from the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee, including figures from the business and labor sectors. However, the TF's launch has been delayed as the FKTU has shown a lukewarm attitude.

The FKTU drew a clear line, stating that the People Power Party has not made an official request, and therefore there is no reason to even discuss participation in the TF. Lee Eun-ho, spokesperson for the FKTU, said, "When we met with the People Power Party regarding the TF, it was only mentioned in conversation, and we have not received an official request through a formal document," adding, "In such a situation, there is no need to hold a meeting about whether to participate or not. We have not yet discussed it."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairman Kim Jong-in personally met with the FKTU leadership on the 28th of last month to persuade them but failed to achieve any significant results. This was largely because he only spoke in general terms without explaining the specific details to the labor sector, which suspects the labor reform promoted by the People Power Party as "easy dismissal." This difference in positions was clearly revealed during a meeting between the People Power Party and the FKTU.

Chairman Kim said, "Considering various situations during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, labor-related laws should be revised to fit new conditions." He added, "The problem in our country is how to resolve the situation of non-regular workers," and said, "This cannot be solved unless regular and non-regular labor unions cooperate together." The core of the labor reform proposed by the People Power Party includes flexibilization of working hours and wage systems, transition to an industrial union system, and reform of the social insurance system.

Kim Dong-myung, chairman of the FKTU, pointed out, "Considering the particularities and historical experiences of our country, issues such as promoting labor market flexibilization and the problem of converting to regular employment require deeper discussion and social consensus," and added, "Strengthening the social safety net is the responsibility of the state and cannot be traded as compensation for labor flexibilization."

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