Kim Moon-soo, Chairman of the Economic and Social Council, Visits Korea Employers Federation: "Labor Reform Issues Must Be Resolved Through Social Dialogue"

Chairman Son Kyung-sik: "Unstable Labor-Management Relations Must Be Restored"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Kim Moon-soo, the newly appointed chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, emphasized that labor reform issues "should be resolved through social dialogue."

On the 13th, Chairman Kim met with Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of the Korea Employers Federation (KEF), and related officials at the KEF building in Mapo-gu, Seoul, stating, "KEF is an important pillar of social dialogue."

Chairman Kim said, "The Economic, Social and Labor Council seeks to communicate with KEF and listen to valuable opinions on social dialogue," and evaluated, "KEF has implemented a win-win labor-management relationship for the development of the national economy." He added, "KEF is a 'precious partner' and 'partner' in national governance who has participated in social dialogue together," and stated, "As a mediator of dialogue, we will ensure that social dialogue proceeds smoothly."

Chairman Sohn said, "Unstable labor-management relations and inefficiencies in the labor market are major causes of declining national competitiveness," and urged, "I hope the Economic, Social and Labor Council will play a significant role in labor-management reform to overcome the economic crisis and prepare for the future society."

He cited the 52-hour workweek limit as a current issue. To resolve these problems, Chairman Sohn proposed, "We need to change extended working hours to a monthly or yearly basis and extend the utilization period of flexible and selective working hour systems," and added, "It is urgent to expand labor market flexibility by reforming the wage system to a fair, job- and performance-centered system, moving away from the seniority and job-based system."

Chairman Sohn also stated, "To secure a balance of power following the strengthening of labor unions' right to organize, it is necessary to guarantee employers' countermeasures that meet global standards, such as allowing substitute labor, prohibiting workplace occupation, and improving the unfair labor practice system."

Regarding the recently controversial so-called 'Yellow Envelope Act' (amendment to the Labor Union Act), Chairman Sohn expressed, "If illegal strike activities are pardoned in a situation where confrontational labor-management relations and militant labor movements continue, it will cause great harm not only to companies but also to all workers and our people," and conveyed his position that "efforts to reduce illegal acts by labor unions are needed rather than limiting compensation for damages."

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