Song Doohwan, Human Rights Commissioner, "Labor Vulnerable Groups Should Also Be Subject to the Labor Standards Act"

Song Doo-hwan, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), stated on the 1st, "It is necessary to expand the application of the Labor Standards Act to improve the working conditions of vulnerable labor groups."

Song Doo-hwan, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the occasion of the 134th Labor Day, Chairperson Song issued a statement saying, "The Labor Standards Act, which specifies the minimum standards for working conditions, is the minimum protection for workers," but pointed out, "There are vulnerable labor groups around us who fall outside the protection of labor laws, such as workplaces with fewer than four employees and platform workers."

He added, "With the development of digital technology, the forms of employment and ways of working are changing, expanding blind spots in labor rights," and "The laws and systems are unable to keep up with changes in working methods."

Chairperson Song also expressed concern about the poor working conditions faced by platform workers. He said, "Platform workers receive tasks and are evaluated through algorithms set by users, subjecting them to various controls and sanctions," and "They must go through difficult and lengthy processes, including lawsuits, to be recognized as workers."

He then urged the government to formulate policies and the National Assembly to improve legislation. Chairperson Song emphasized, "The European Union (EU) has created guidelines recognizing platform workers as workers if they follow the platform's instructions," and added, "It is time for national efforts, including policy support from the government."

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