Party and Government "Agree on the Need for Drastic Measures to Eradicate Habitual Wage Arrears"

Active Support Planned for Follow-up Legislation
Discussion on Strengthening Criminal Punishment and Economic Sanctions for Employers

The People Power Party and the government discussed on the 3rd measures to eradicate habitual wage arrears, including strengthening criminal penalties and economic sanctions against employers, as well as easing the requirements for the wage arrears clearance loan system.

Im Eui-ja, chairperson of the People Power Party's Special Committee on Labor Reform and the ruling party's secretary of the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee, said in a meeting with reporters after the ‘Environment and Labor Committee - Ministry of Employment and Labor’ party-government consultation held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building that morning, “The party and government agreed on the need for special measures to raise awareness among employers who delay wages and to eradicate habitual wage arrears.”

Im I-ja, Chairperson of the Special Committee on Labor Reform of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party-government consultation on labor held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 3rd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Im stated, “Wages are the most fundamental right of workers as compensation for work, as stipulated in the Labor Standards Act, and the most basic obligation of employers. Wages are the livelihood of workers.” She added, “However, wage arrears exceeding 1.3 trillion won still occur annually, and about 240,000 workers face threats to their livelihoods, but the numbers hardly decrease. In particular, workplaces with repeated arrears more than twice account for over 80% of the total arrears amount.”

In response, Im explained, “In addition to criminal penalties against habitual wage arrears employers, we had in-depth discussions on strengthening economic sanctions and significantly easing the requirements for the wage arrears clearance loan system to enable prompt handling of wage arrears complaints. The members of the party demanded stronger and more concrete implementation measures,” adding, “We plan to hold another party-government consultation regarding this matter.”

This measure will also be prioritized at the party level. Im emphasized, “We will actively support follow-up legislation and other measures,” and “At least under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, we will strive to create a society where no workers suffer from wage arrears.”

When asked about the comprehensive wage system, Im responded, “There are various types of companies and workplaces using the comprehensive wage system, so some support it while others oppose it,” and “I understand that the Ministry of Employment and Labor is conducting a survey and in-depth interviews on this issue.”

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