KCCI Stresses Importance of Labor-Management Cooperation for Successful Labor Policy

KCCI Employment and Labor Committee Meeting Held
Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon Invited
Business Community Voices Opinions on Trade Union Act, Industrial Safety, and Retirement Age Extension
"Advanced Labor-Management Relations Needed to Respond to Change"

On September 24, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a meeting of the Employment and Labor Committee at the Chamber building, inviting Kim Younghoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, to discuss "Key Employment and Labor Policy Directions of the New Administration."

Logo of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The meeting was organized to convey the voices of businesses from the field and to communicate with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, which is the authority on labor policy, as the ministry is currently implementing the revised Trade Union Act follow-up measures and comprehensive occupational safety plans as part of the new administration's labor policies.

The meeting was attended by more than 60 business leaders, including Kim Younghoon, Minister of Employment and Labor; Lee Jaeha, Chairman of the Employment and Labor Committee of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (and Chairman of Sambo Motors Group); and Park Iljun, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The business representatives submitted their opinions to Minister Kim regarding key issues in the industrial sector, such as follow-up measures for the revised Trade Union Act, industrial safety policy, extension of the retirement age, and the introduction of a 4.5-day workweek.

Regarding the revised Trade Union Act, they first pointed out, "Since the revision of the law, companies are uncertain about whom to negotiate with, on what issues, and in what manner, which is causing significant concern." They emphasized, "The manual that the government is preparing as a follow-up measure must cover all possible scenarios that may arise from the revised law in detail, and the opinions of the business community must be sufficiently reflected in this process."

On the topic of industrial safety policy, they stated, "Companies fully agree with the intent of the comprehensive occupational safety plan announced by the government and believe they must fulfill their responsibilities to create safe workplaces. However, strengthening penalties raises questions about its effectiveness in preventing accidents." They added, "To eradicate workplace accidents, it is important that not only companies but also workers on the ground share responsibility for safety." Specifically, they noted, "With the advancement of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), it is possible to collect safety data and establish prevention systems through CCTV and other means. However, in reality, this is difficult without the consent of labor unions, so active cooperation from unions is also essential for companies' safety measures."

Regarding the extension of the retirement age, which is included as a national policy task, they argued that it is insufficient to resolve the employment issues of older workers and that establishing a foundation for senior employment should be prioritized. In particular, they suggested, "Before extending the retirement age, the seniority-based wage system should be reformed. The government should actively promote institutional improvements and support so that labor and management can cooperate to reform the wage system."

Business leaders also commented on the introduction of the 4.5-day workweek, saying, "Companies agree on the need to reduce long working hours, but to use the reduced working hours efficiently in line with market conditions, greater flexibility in working hours is needed." They requested, "Please consider expanding the management unit for overtime work and reviewing improvements to the working hours system to enhance flexibility, such as the white-collar exemption."

Minister Kim explained, "Traditional fixed working hours, workplaces, and job content are changing significantly due to new technologies such as AI, and demographic changes such as low birth rates and an aging population are also accelerating." He emphasized, "As essential tasks, we must create safe workplaces, provide training in new technologies, secure a diverse pool of skilled workers including middle-aged, young, female, and foreign workers, and revitalize local economies. All of this must be firmly supported by guaranteeing the rights of all workers and establishing an advanced labor-management relationship based on fairness and mutual prosperity."

He added, "To resolve chronic disparities and inefficiencies in our society and move toward long-term productivity growth, management, labor, and the government must work together and pool their wisdom through 'social dialogue.'"

Lee Jaeha, Chairman of the Employment and Labor Committee of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated, "The success of employment and labor policy depends on how it is accepted and implemented in the field. For this, the framework for cooperation among labor, management, and government as equal partners must function properly." He added, "We ask the government to communicate consistently with the field and listen to opinions carefully so that the effectiveness of policies can be maximized through thorough review."

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