Lee Jae-myung: "How about the 'Legal Strike Guarantee Act' instead of the 'Yellow Envelope Act'?"

"Government and ruling party should not oppose blindly, but join in creating reasonable alternatives"

Lee Jae-myung, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed renaming the so-called 'Yellow Envelope Act' to the 'Legal Strike Guarantee Act.'

On the 27th, Lee stated on his Facebook, "How about calling it the 'Legal Strike Guarantee Act' to clear up misunderstandings about the bill and clarify its purpose?" The 'Yellow Envelope Act' limits companies' claims for damages against striking workers.

Lee explained, "It is the duty of politics to resolve situations where rights guaranteed by law are suppressed under the name of the law. Excessive claims for damages and provisional seizures that infringe on workers' collective action rights are a prime example," adding, "Many workers are already experiencing this. In a country where strikes result in astronomical claims for damages and provisional seizures that are unbearable, collective bargaining and workers' collective actions are just 'pie in the sky.'"

He continued, "Voices calling for the enactment of the so-called 'Yellow Envelope Act' are growing to overcome this situation," and said, "I believe the majority of the public would agree, but there is also considerable opposition because the Yellow Envelope Act is known to protect 'illegal strikes.'"

Lee also said, "Pro-labor and pro-business are not mutually exclusive. A rational labor-management relationship is essential for economic development and building a fair country," adding, "Amending Article 3 of the Labor Union Act and the 'Legal Strike Guarantee Act' will be part of efforts to balance the power scale that has tilted to one side. The amendment of Article 2 of the Labor Union Act, which expands the concept of employer to allow indirect employment workers to negotiate with the primary employer, is understood in a similar context."

He further emphasized, "Currently, bills related to the amendment of Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act have been submitted to the National Assembly. We will seek social consensus to practically guarantee workers' fundamental rights as stipulated by the Constitution," and added, "I hope the government and ruling party will not just oppose blindly but join in creating reasonable alternatives. Workers are also citizens."

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