KCCI "Will Present Labor Reform Policy Alternatives"...Formation of Promotion Team

Meeting between Minister of Labor and Major Companies' CHOs

Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, stated on the 14th, "We will form a Labor Reform Promotion Group to present essential tasks and directions for the advancement of the labor market, as well as policy alternatives from the business sector's perspective."

Chairman Son made these remarks at a meeting of Chief Human Resources Officers (CHOs) from major companies held at the Korea Press Center. He said, "To respond to industrial structural changes including advanced digital technological innovation and to secure global competitiveness, outdated laws and systems must be improved." Minister Lee Jeong-sik of the Ministry of Employment and Labor attended the meeting to explain the government's labor reform policy direction and exchange opinions.

Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, is speaking at the major companies CHO meeting held at the Press Center on the 14th.
[Photo by Korea Employers Federation]

Chairman Son argued that "intensive labor reform must be promoted so that our companies can compete on equal footing with foreign companies in the global market," emphasizing the need to make the labor market more flexible while revising laws and systems. He added, "Since the current administration took office, the number of workdays lost due to labor disputes has significantly decreased, showing a stable trend," and said, "Companies themselves will strive to uphold laws and principles so that a proper labor-management culture can take root."

He also expressed his intention to actively participate in the tripartite dialogue that began last month. Chairman Son said, "The tripartite parties will gather at the Economic, Social and Labor Council to discuss labor market improvement measures such as wage systems and working hours," and added, "The seniority-based wage system should be restructured into a system that rewards work value and performance."

[Photo by Yonhap News]

He echoed the government’s view that labor reform is necessary as part of addressing the social issue of low birth rates. Chairman Son stated, "We will actively propose and continue social dialogue to support childbirth- and childcare-friendly corporate cultures such as diversified working arrangements, and to expand the employment base for the elderly through a continuous employment policy focused on reemployment rather than retirement age extension."

Meeting participants requested government support for key labor reform tasks. They asked for strict enforcement against illegal practices to establish a culture of compliance in industrial sites. They also requested easing the procedures for changing employment rules, such as exempting the requirement for majority consent stipulated by current law, if the wage system reform is considered reasonable in principle.

Minister Lee urged companies to actively participate in promoting labor reform, saying, "We will promote labor reform focusing on low birth rates, industrial transition, creation of good jobs, and resolution of the dual structure through social dialogue with labor and management."

The Korea Employers Federation held a meeting on the 14th at the Press Center with Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, and Chief Human Resources Officers (CHOs) from major companies.
[Photo by Korea Employers Federation]

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