[New Year's Address] Moon Sung-hyun, Chair of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, "Next Government's Efforts to Respond to Climate Crisis and Digital Transformation"

"Disappointed by the Lack of Concrete Measures to Resolve Polarization"

"Establishing a Joint Labor-Management Industrial Safety System for Serious Accidents"

Moon Sung-hyun, Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Economic, Social and Labor Affairs. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Moon Seong-hyun, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Economic and Social Labor Affairs, stated on the 31st, "It is regrettable that the 'Polarization Resolution and Employment+ Committee' ended without preparing concrete practical measures for resolving polarization," and emphasized, "The next government must also gather wisdom from labor, management, and government to respond to the upcoming major transitions such as the climate crisis and digital transformation."

Chairman Moon said, "Committees for different groups such as youth, women, irregular workers, and small business owners have tried to incorporate the voices of unorganized groups who may face greater difficulties during times of crisis and change within the framework of social dialogue," and recalled, "The 'Fishing Crew Employment and Labor Environment Improvement Committee,' established to improve the industrial safety environment for fishing crew workers who have a relatively high industrial accident rate, reached an agreement through a year of discussions among labor, management, and government to establish customized onboard safety and health legislation for fishing crew."

He explained, "'The Industrial Safety and Health Committee for the Prevention of Serious Accidents' aims to inspect safety conditions at industrial sites before the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, establish a joint labor-management industrial safety system to prevent industrial accidents, and have the government support it," and added, "'The Public Officials Labor-Management Relations Committee' plans to discuss improvements in public officials' labor-management relations following the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) core conventions."

Chairman Moon also expressed some regrets regarding areas he has consistently emphasized, such as resolving polarization. He said, "However, it is regrettable that the 'Polarization Resolution and Employment+ Committee' ended without preparing concrete practical measures for resolving polarization," and added, "I believe it is meaningful that labor, management, and government participated in the social dialogue forum and tried to prepare alternatives together."

He stated, "The next government is preparing for major transitions such as the climate crisis, digital transformation, and aging by operating the 'Platform Industry Committee,' 'Climate Crisis and Industrial/Labor Transition Research Group,' and 'Aging Society Response Research Group' to ensure that social dialogue continues," and urged, "To respond to the upcoming major transitions, the next government must also bring together labor, management, and government to share ideas and wisdom."

He continued, "Even amid significant economic uncertainties such as the increase in COVID-19 infections leading to strengthened social distancing and expected price rises, the government is doing its best to 'revitalize the livelihood economy,' and the Economic, Social, and Labor Council will also actively respond."

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