Minister Lee Jeong-sik: "We Will Establish Ways to Help Labor's Vulnerable"

Only about 10% are protected by labor unions
with no comprehensive measures in place

On the 6th, Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, delivered a greeting at the 13th plenary session of the Economic, Social and Labor Council (Gyeongsanowi) under the President, held in the main conference room of Gyeongsanowi in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

Regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's announcement at the livelihood forum held on the 14th about preparing the 'Act on Support and Protection of Labor Vulnerable Groups (tentative name),' Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jeong-sik stated, "We will devise ways to practically help labor vulnerable groups."

On the 16th, Minister Lee said on KBS Radio's 'Jeon Jong-cheol's Jeonggyeok Sisa,' "Only about 10% of workers are protected by labor unions, while the rest are not protected organizationally by legal systems or unions," adding, "Currently, there is no comprehensive institutional, organizational, or systematic measure in place."

He went on to mention that in April, President Yoon instructed the creation of an organization capable of implementing systematic policies for these workers, leading to the formation of a task force (TF). "We have established six Worker Connection Centers in major metropolitan areas," he said. Through these centers, the government directly intervenes by creating and distributing standard contracts, forming councils to mediate disputes arising from issues such as commission-related power abuse, and financially supporting those in legal and organizational blind spots.

Minister Lee highlighted delivery riders and substitute drivers as sectors prone to serious accidents, emphasizing plans to distribute applications (apps) that enable safe driving and provide rest areas and safety gear to offer practical assistance. He also added, "We are considering ways to gradually apply the Labor Standards Act to companies with fewer than five employees." This appears to relate to President Yoon's announcement about enacting the 'Act on Support and Protection of Labor Vulnerable Groups.' President Yoon has stated that a fundamental institutional foundation must be established to protect labor vulnerable groups and that the state will take greater responsibility for their protection.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, as of March this year, the employment rate is at an all-time high, and the unemployment rate is at an all-time low. In the April employment trends, the number of employed persons increased by 244,000 compared to the same period last year, but the 20-40 age group decreased while the elderly population increased. Minister Lee attributed the decrease in the 20-40 age group to the population decline, saying, "It is a natural trend as life expectancy increases." He argued that the quality of employment for the elderly must be improved and proposed pursuing three policies.

Minister Lee said, "First, we must enable people to continue working where they currently are," adding, "We need to extend or abolish the retirement age or facilitate reemployment." He explained that the soon-to-be-activated Economic, Social, and Labor Council (ESLC) will consider measures to maintain continuous employment in conjunction with wage system reforms. He also added, "We are designing career plans through the Labor-Management Development Foundation and will expand support for job changes and career transitions." He stated, "We plan to create a roadmap to improve employment quality by the end of this year, encompassing these measures."

Meanwhile, at a post-livelihood forum briefing held at the Seoul Government Complex on the same day, Minister Lee said, "We will immediately begin consultations to establish a Labor Court," adding, "Since establishing a Labor Court involves significant changes to the judicial system and requires in-depth preparation, we will promptly start consultations with related ministries such as the Ministry of Justice and the judiciary, including the courts, to ensure it can be implemented within the current administration's term." He also emphasized that preparations for enacting the Act on Support and Protection of Labor Vulnerable Groups will proceed without delay.

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