Operation of the Tripartite Industrial Accident Safety and Health Committee... Decision by the Economic, Social and Labor Council

Moon Sung-hyun, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, appears on the 12th to attend the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee, the Economic, Social and Labor Council, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor affiliated agencies' audit, providing a work report. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

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[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] At the 11th plenary session of the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC), a social dialogue body under the direct control of the president held for the first time in four months, the operation plan for the Serious Accident Industrial Safety and Health Committee was approved by labor, management, and government representatives. Although controversies remain over issues such as who the responsible management personnel for punishment under the law are, and whether occupational diseases and guidelines are too vague, the council intends to accelerate the formation of the tripartite consultative body as the law is set to be enforced starting January next year.

On the 12th, the ESLC announced that it held the 11th plenary session in writing on the 8th and deliberated and approved three agenda items, including the establishment of the "Industrial Safety and Health Committee for Serious Accident Prevention" (tentative name). This plenary session was held four months after the previous one on June 7. The previous plenary session was held 11 months after the tripartite agreement was signed on July 28 of the previous year.

The Serious Accident Committee will be newly established to enhance compliance with the law at industrial sites ahead of the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act on January 27 next year. The committee will discuss support measures for establishing workplace safety and health management systems, securing safety compliance at industrial sites, and the roles of labor, management, and government in accident prevention.

To strengthen the labor rights of public officials, a "Public Officials Labor-Management Relations Committee" (tentative name) will also be established. This is explained as a follow-up measure to the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions. The preparatory committee will discuss the committee's name, specific discussion agenda, and member composition by next month, and the committee is scheduled to be launched in December. Additionally, the "Labor-Management Relations System and Practice Improvement Committee" will have its term extended by six months until April 10 next year.

Moon Seonghyun, chairman of the ESLC, said, "It is significant that labor, management, and government have opened their hearts to create a forum for discussion to prevent serious accidents at industrial sites," adding, "We will proceed with the preparatory work without any setbacks to ensure the committee operates well regarding the approved agenda items."

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