[2021 National Audit] Financial Authorities "Will Investigate Bank Call Center Operations"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] Amid recent strikes by some bank call center workers demanding improvements in poor working conditions, financial authorities have announced plans to investigate the operational status of call centers at major domestic commercial banks.

On the 21st, during the National Assembly audit, Bae Jin-kyo, a member of the Justice Party, stated, "Nowadays, it is possible to open bank accounts and inquire about loan products through call centers, so call center employees often perform tasks previously handled by bank branch staff. However, call center employees, who are not official bank staff, receive minimum wage-level pay and work in real-time competition without breaks. Financial authorities need to conduct an investigation into this situation," he pointed out.

In response, Ko Seung-beom, Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, said, "We will assess the situation" and added, "We will consider how the financial authorities can improve this." Jeong Eun-bo, Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, also stated, "We will assess the situation from the perspective of sound management," but added, "However, since this issue involves labor-management relations and employment matters, please understand that there are limitations to the role financial authorities can play."

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