Online Filibuster Against 'Noranbongtu Law'... "Encourages Illegal Strikes, Unequal Law"

Im I-ja, the People Power Party's Environment and Labor Committee Secretary
Steps Up as the First Speaker... "If the Yellow Envelope Act Passes,
Companies Will Try to Move Everything Overseas"

On the 13th, the People Power Party began an online filibuster to highlight the problems of the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act) and the Broadcasting Three Acts, which were passed solely by the opposition party. Im I-ja, a member of the People Power Party and the ranking member of the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee, who took the first turn, strongly criticized the Yellow Envelope Act as the 'Illegal Strike Promotion Act, Unknowable Act, and Inequality Act.'

During her first speech in the 'online filibuster' held at the 6th-floor studio of the People Power Party's central office, Im said, "I call the Yellow Envelope Act the 'Three Illegal Acts.'" She explained the side effects of the bill by drawing a diagram on a whiteboard.

Regarding the part of the Yellow Envelope Act that expands the scope of employers, she pointed out, "I call this law the 'Unknowable Act.' How can it be called a law when it is impossible to know?" The Yellow Envelope Act expands the scope of employers to include not only parties to the labor contract but also those who are in a position to substantially and concretely control and determine the working conditions of workers.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Im said, "Do the people understand what 'substantial and concrete control' means? There is no clear definition of how far this control extends, which violates the principle of legal clarity. For example, does it include in-house subcontractors, or does it cover everything from hiring to wages, or even dismissal and welfare? There is no set boundary. It is a kind of rubber-band concept."

She then referred to the expansion of the subject of labor disputes in the Yellow Envelope Act from 'matters concerning the determination of working conditions' under current law to 'matters concerning working conditions' as the 'Illegal Strike Promotion Act.' When the scope of disputes expands, strike actions that were previously limited to 'interest disputes' over rights to be secured in the future will now also include 'rights disputes' concerning non-compliance with existing collective agreements. Im explained, "If the Yellow Envelope Act is enforced, strikes demanding things like 'reinstate dismissed workers' will become possible anytime. If one is determined enough, strikes can continue 365 days a year."

Finally, Im emphasized the Yellow Envelope Act as the 'Inequality Act.' Previously, in cases of joint illegal strikes, responsibility was uniformly recognized for all parties, but the Yellow Envelope Act stipulates that the scope of responsibility should be determined according to each party's fault and contribution in labor disputes. Im said, "While legitimate strike actions are exempt from civil and criminal liability, it is unfair to specially treat illegal strike actions by reducing their responsibility."

Im stressed that ultimately, the Yellow Envelope Act should not be implemented for the sake of creating jobs for workers. She said, "The best welfare is jobs. Ultimately, jobs are created by companies, and companies operate when a business-friendly country is established. If the Yellow Envelope Act passes, companies will probably not invest or will move entirely overseas. This law must never be passed."

Meanwhile, on the same day, in the People Power Party, Park Sung-joong (ranking member of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee) and Kim Seung-soo continued the online filibuster on the Broadcasting Three Acts, while Kim Hyung-dong and Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok continued on the Yellow Envelope Act. The ruling party plans to continue the filibuster until the 17th, when the bills will be notified to the government by the National Assembly.

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