"Stop 'Old-to-Old Care'... Gyeongnam Care Workers Urge Gubernatorial Candidates to Strengthen Public Care Policies"

Care workers in the Gyeongnam region have called on candidates for the Gyeongnam Governor in the run-up to the 9th nationwide local elections to reflect the expansion of public care services and increased responsibility of local governments in their policy platforms.

The Gyeongnam Branch of the Care Service Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Service Federation held a press conference at the provincial government press center on the 13th to announce their policy demands.

The demands include: ▲ Expansion of public care institutions and introduction of a basic supply rate system ▲ Strengthening the public nature of integrated care ▲ Normalization of the operation of the Social Service Center ▲ Reinforcement of the primary responsibility of local governments and acceptance of collective bargaining at the primary employer level.

The Gyeongnam branch of the National Care Service Labor Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Service Federation is announcing policy demands that include expanding the public nature of care services and improving the treatment of care workers.
Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

They stated, "Local governments must introduce a basic supply rate system that makes it mandatory to establish public care facilities," adding, "At least 30% of care facilities should be public so that public entities can set the service standard in the market and close care service gaps between regions."

They also argued, "The integrated care system operated through private outsourcing leads to service discontinuity and administrative inefficiency; therefore, the delivery system should be unified under the Social Service Center." They further demanded, "Secure a stable integrated care budget, directly hire dedicated personnel, and institutionally guarantee the participation of labor unions in policy-making."

They continued, "The functions of the Social Service Center must be restored and it should be fostered as a regional hub for care services," and added, "Expand public integrated care centers for each city, county, and district, and institutionalize the priority outsourcing of local government projects so that standardized public social services guaranteed by the state and local governments can be enjoyed."

Additionally, they emphasized, "In line with the intent of the amended Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act, local governments should recognize that they are the de facto employers of care workers and sincerely participate in labor-management-government and collective bargaining with the union."

Im Hyuna, branch head, stated, "It has been 18 years since the long-term care system was introduced, but the public nature of care services and the treatment of workers remain extremely inadequate." She added, "Gyeongnam has entered a super-aged society, with 23% of its population being elderly, and care services are essential for everyone to live with dignity."

She further explained, "Out of 1,236 long-term care institutions in the province's 18 cities and counties, only 8 have been established by local governments, and even these are operated by private entities under consignment." She emphasized, "To strengthen the public nature of care, private outsourcing must be discontinued and the number of public care facilities established by local governments must be increased."

She also stated, "To improve the treatment of care workers, establish a standard wage for the province that reflects the living wage level in Gyeongnam, and pay all care workers in the province a welfare allowance and other benefits to improve treatment." She added, "It is also necessary to introduce a minimum monthly wage system, guarantee job security, and provide a system for substitute personnel support."

The union further noted, "The average age of caregivers working in elderly care is over 60 to 70, with more than half falling in this age group, and if those in their 50s are included, they account for 80% of the total," appealing to stop the so-called 'old-to-old care' phenomenon.

They pointed out, "Although policies are designed by the state and local governments, operations are entrusted to private companies that pursue profit, resulting in the lowest level of treatment and constant job insecurity. As a result, it is difficult to recruit workers, leaving elderly people to care for other elderly people in the 'old-to-old care' phenomenon."

Im emphasized, "As unstable employment and poor treatment drive workers away, their positions are filled by caregivers aged 60 and above, and resolving the shortage of caregivers and the old-to-old care phenomenon must start with strengthening public care and improving working conditions." She concluded, "This is an urgent demand with no room for compromise."

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