Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, "Will Prepare a Plan for Labor and Management to Autonomously Choose Working Hours"

Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jeong-sik is delivering his inaugural speech at the inauguration ceremony held at the Government Sejong Complex in Sejong City on the morning of the 11th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 11th, Lee Jeong-sik, the newly appointed Minister of Employment and Labor, stated, "We will change the working culture by promoting flexible working hours for work-life balance," and added, "We will prepare measures to allow labor and management to autonomously choose working hours."

At the inauguration ceremony held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 11th, Minister Lee said, "I will do my best to build a labor market where labor and management coexist harmoniously." He emphasized, "Changes are needed in the existing employment and labor relations system," and "rigid laws, systems, and practices that do not reflect the rapidly changing labor environment and the diversification of employment types are no longer sustainable."

He continued, "Within the framework of laws and principles, through dialogue and compromise, we must create a cooperative labor-management relationship that balances the protection of workers' rights and corporate vitality," and explained, "To promote job creation and employment stability for youth, who are the future leaders, and middle-aged workers, who are the backbone of families, we will also support the expansion of wage systems centered on job roles and performance."

Minister Lee also mentioned strengthening communication with labor and management. He said, "We will continuously communicate with labor and management and jointly seek reasonable solutions to the problems facing our labor market," and "We will create conditions for labor and management to fulfill their social roles as responsible economic agents, and the government will do its best as a fair mediator and coordinator."

He pledged to work on creating a safe and fair labor market. He stated, "As I always say, 'Let us work without dying or getting injured, healthily and with respect,' I will devote all efforts to preventing industrial accident fatalities," and explained, "We will strengthen efforts to prevent industrial accidents by establishing and spreading corporate safety and health management systems, and promptly prepare a roadmap to drastically reduce industrial accidents."

Furthermore, he emphasized that the employment service delivery system will be streamlined so that anyone, regardless of gender or age, can demonstrate their abilities through jobs, and that customized employment support and lifelong vocational skill development support will be expanded.

To this end, in collaboration with related ministries, new industries for private job creation will be fostered, and recruitment support and training services tailored to each company will be strengthened. Amid rapid industrial structural changes, an employment safety net will be built more thoroughly to ensure no one is left behind.

Minister Lee added, "We will also steadily promote the establishment of a digital employment and labor platform so that all citizens can access necessary policies anytime and anywhere and feel their effects."

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