Clash Between Ruling and Opposition Over 'Labor Reform'... "Need for Accounting Transparency" VS "Union Suppression"

Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, "Labor Union Financial Transparency Must Be Increased"
Rep. Ha Tae-gyeong Introduces 'Partial Amendment to the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act'
Democratic Party Criticizes Fair Trade Commission's Investigation into Cargo Solidarity

[Asia Economy Reporters Kum Boryeong and Park Juni] The ruling and opposition parties clashed over 'labor reform' on the 20th. The People Power Party launched a full-scale offensive by proposing a bill requiring labor unions with more than 300 members to submit accounting data annually to administrative authorities to support the labor reform promoted by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. On the other hand, the Democratic Party condemned the Fair Trade Commission, which launched an investigation into the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters, calling it an 'act of suppressing union activities.'

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the party's floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "The issue of financial transparency of unions has remained an area where, despite their high social and political status, external audits have not reached at all," adding, "We need to improve the law so that union accounts are audited by the government or an independent external agency to enhance financial transparency."

He continued, "It is a typical case of double standards to say that accounts involving national budgets cannot be disclosed," and said, "The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions cannot stand above the Constitution nor exist as a lawless zone."

The People Power Party appears to be accelerating its efforts by even proposing related legislation. Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly communication office that day and announced that he had introduced the 'Partial Amendment to the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act' as the main proposer.

The amendment includes mandatory annual submission of accounting data for large-scale unions (with more than 300 members) in large corporations and public enterprises, stipulating that union accounting auditors must hold legal qualifications such as certified public accountants, and excluding accounting personnel within unions from audit duties.

Rep. Ha explained the purpose of the bill, saying, "The current union accounting system is like entrusting a fish shop to a cat," and "If the union's opaque accounting system is improved, the union's autonomy and right to organize will be further strengthened."

This legislative move is linked to the government's labor reform. On the 18th, Han Duck-soo, Prime Minister, hinted at checking union accounting transparency by saying at the '6th High-level Party-Government Council,' "The government will also reasonably demand transparency in union financial operations."

The Democratic Party has opposed President Yoon Seok-yeol's labor reform. It raised criticism against the Fair Trade Commission, which launched an investigation into the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters. The Fair Trade Commission classifies the Cargo Solidarity, which ended its general strike, as a business entity rather than a union and is demanding the submission of materials related to the list of union members.

Members of the Democratic Party of Korea Euljiro Committee are holding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office press conference room on the 20th. (Photo by Democratic Party Euljiro Committee)

Members of the Democratic Party's Euljiro Committee said at a press conference that day, "Workers under the Labor Union Act are guaranteed the rights of freedom of association, collective bargaining, and collective action," and criticized, "Investigating labor activities under the Fair Trade Act is like wielding a club against workers while having the authority to prevent unfair practices by large corporations."

They pointed out that the Fair Trade Commission's investigation is "an unjust intervention in union activities unrelated to the Fair Trade Commission's role of 'establishing the basic order of economic activities to ensure fair and free competition between enterprises' and a serious abuse of authority."

They also said that illegality is suspected in the decision-making process. Referring to Fair Trade Commission Chairman Han Ki-jung's statement at a press conference on the 2nd, "We consider cargo truck owners affiliated with the Cargo Solidarity as business operators. We also judge that similar construction unions fall under business operators," they said, "This breaks the NCND principle of not commenting on ongoing investigations and shows a biased investigation with predetermined answers."

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