KCTU "COVID-19 Continues to Threaten Non-Regular Workers... 'Jeon Tae-il 3 Laws' Must Be Legislated"

On the 9th, in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a press conference urging the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) fundamental conventions and the enactment of the "Jeon Tae-il 3 Laws." Photo by Intern Reporter Lee Jun-hyung

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju, Intern Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the martyr Jeon Tae-il, labor groups have urged the government and the National Assembly to immediately ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) fundamental conventions and legislate the ‘Jeon Tae-il 3 Laws’.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a press conference in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 9th, stating, “The government is pushing through anti-union laws,” and “We demand the government and the National Assembly withdraw the proposed amendments to the Trade Union Act and revise Article 2 of the Trade Union Act.”

They added, “Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), wage cuts and threats of dismissal for non-regular workers continue,” and “The need to revise Article 2 of the Trade Union Act has become greater than ever.”

In particular, the KCTU criticized the government for remaining silent despite the fact that revising Article 2 of the Trade Union Act is a recommendation from the ILO. The KCTU stated, “The ILO fundamental conventions require guaranteeing the three labor rights to all workers,” and “The National Assembly and the government must immediately pass the ratification bill for the ILO fundamental conventions.” They also pointed out, “The International Labour Organization has recommended that our government guarantee the freedom of association for special employment workers and the collective bargaining rights for indirectly employed workers.”

They also called for the legislation of the ‘Jeon Tae-il 3 Laws.’ The Jeon Tae-il 3 Laws consist of ▲ full application of the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees (amendment to Article 11 of the Labor Standards Act), ▲ revision of Article 2 of the Trade Union Act to guarantee the three labor rights for special employment workers, and ▲ enactment of the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act. Earlier in September, the KCTU collected 100,000 signatures through a legislative petition for the Jeon Tae-il 3 Laws. The KCTU condemned the government and the National Assembly, saying, “They have an obligation to immediately discuss and pass the legislation demanded by the absolute majority of the people, the workers, and there is no justification to reject the Jeon Tae-il 3 Laws.”

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