Democratic Labor Union Boycotts Minimum Wage Meeting... Full Deliberations Start in June

Appointment of Public Interest Members, Non-Recognition of 1st Labor Union, and Dissatisfaction
Concerns Over Inter-Union Conflict... Unclear Rational Discussions

On the afternoon of the 18th, members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a rally in front of the Ministry of Employment and Labor at the Government Sejong Complex, where the full meeting of the Minimum Wage Commission was taking place, condemning the reappointment of public interest members and urging an increase in the minimum wage. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Minimum Wage Commission, which began deliberations on next year's minimum wage, faced setbacks due to the absence of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). The commission plans to collect basic data and then start full-scale deliberations from next month.

On the afternoon of the 18th, the Minimum Wage Commission held its 2nd plenary meeting for next year's minimum wage deliberations at the Government Complex Sejong. The commission consists of 27 members: 9 worker representatives, 9 employer representatives, and 9 public interest members. However, all 4 worker representatives recommended by the KCTU were absent.

In a statement that day, the KCTU cited as reasons for their absence the fact that 8 of the 9 public interest members, including Chairman Park Junsik and member Kwon Soonwon (secretary of the public interest members), were retained. They argued that the low minimum wage increase rates of 2.9% and 1.5% over the past two years were their responsibility. To demand replacements, they sent a large volume of protest emails and text messages to all public interest members. At Hallym University and Sookmyung Women's University, where Chairman Park and member Kwon are professors, press conferences and solo protests demanding their resignation were held.

They also expressed dissatisfaction over not being recognized as the 'No.1 labor union.' Concerns have even arisen about escalating conflicts between labor unions. Despite the KCTU's demand for the right to recommend 5 worker representatives, the government did not accept this and instead granted 4 recommendation rights, one fewer than the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), which also caused dissatisfaction.

Additionally, the KCTU held a rally with several dozen participants in front of the Sejong Government Complex, demanding a significant increase in next year's minimum wage. The Minimum Wage Commission receives wage increase proposals from both labor and management near the end of deliberations, with labor proposals decided through consultations between the two major unions.

Member Kwon strongly criticized the KCTU for escalating pressure through outside protests from the early stages of next year's minimum wage deliberations. In his opening remarks at the meeting, he mentioned the protest emails from the KCTU, stating, "Some public interest members are experiencing psychological pressure and physical difficulties in performing their duties. We ask that individual external challenges against public interest members be prohibited in the future." He added, as a 'final request,' "Please refrain from external claims going forward and cooperate so that discussions can take place within the commission."

On the 18th, at the 2nd plenary meeting held in the Minimum Wage Commission meeting room at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City, Jeong Mun-ju, head of policy at the Korean Federation of Trade Unions and a worker representative, is showing a comparative table of average minimum wage increases. The Minimum Wage Commission consists of 27 members, with 9 worker representatives, 9 employer representatives, and 9 public interest representatives. (Image source=Yonhap News)

During the meeting, labor and management sharply clashed over the extent of next year's minimum wage increase. Lee Dongho, Secretary-General of the FKTU and a worker representative, argued that "Over the past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, the minimum wage increase rates were the lowest ever, leaving low-wage workers in the labor field in a truly miserable state," emphasizing the need for a substantial increase.

On the other hand, Ryu Kijeong, Executive Director of the Korea Employers Federation (KEF) and an employer representative, said that the minimum wage remains high due to significant increases in the first two years of the current government. He stressed, "Considering the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, job creation, and economic conditions, our basic position is that the minimum wage should remain stable this year as well." He also pointed out that in the accommodation and food service sectors, which suffered greatly from COVID-19, the proportion of workers earning less than the minimum wage is high, suggesting, "In-depth discussions on sector-specific minimum wage application are also necessary."

On the 18th, at the 2nd plenary meeting held in the Minimum Wage Commission meeting room of the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City, Lee Dong-ho, Secretary General of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and a worker representative (right), and Ryu Ki-jung, Executive Director of the Korea Employers Federation and an employer representative, are deep in thought. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Meanwhile, at the meeting, Chairman Park Junsik was re-elected as the 12th chairman. Minister of Employment and Labor An Kyungduk visited the meeting room just before the meeting and presented appointment letters to the 25 newly appointed members.

A specialized committee to review basic data such as workers' living expenses, which serves as the foundation for next year's minimum wage deliberations, was also formed. The Minimum Wage Commission plans to receive the review results from the specialized committee and hold the 3rd plenary meeting on the 15th of next month to begin full-scale deliberations on next year's minimum wage.

Although the legal deadline for next year's minimum wage deliberations is the end of next month, it is rare for the commission to meet this deadline. Considering that the minimum wage announcement deadline is August 5, the deliberations for next year's minimum wage must be concluded by mid-July at the latest.

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