People Power Party Opens Yellow Envelope Act Reporting Center... "On-Site Confusion Intensifying"

The People Power Party has established the "Yellow Envelope Act Rights Protection Reporting Center" to collect cases of adverse effects experienced at labor-management worksites following the implementation of the law.

On the 13th, at the signboard unveiling ceremony held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated, "It has been a month since the controversial Yellow Envelope Act was enforced, and the labor field is facing severe confusion," adding, "As soon as issues occurring on-site are reported to our party, we will take the lead in addressing and resolving them."

Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking after unveiling the signboard of the "Yellow Envelope Act Rights Protection Reporting Center" at the People Power Party Labor Bureau in the National Assembly, Yeouido, Seoul, on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

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Since the Yellow Envelope Act officially came into effect on March 10, it has been reported that 1,011 subcontractor unions have requested negotiations with 372 primary contractors. Song noted, "There are 144 workplaces with two or more unions, and 235 with three or more unions, making it unclear for management at primary contractors who they should negotiate with," and further added, "Companies are now confused about how to establish their management plans."

He continued, "The problem is that in many cases, government ministries and public institutions insist, even when subcontractors request negotiations, 'We are not your negotiation counterpart.' For example, when a food service union made a negotiation request to a national university as the primary contractor, it was often outright rejected."

Song emphasized, "Since the passage of the Yellow Envelope Act, we have anticipated many significant problems and repeatedly suggested to the government and the ruling party to amend the law after negotiations. However, there is no interest in what is happening in the field," and strongly urged for the act to be revised once again.

The People Power Party proposed the formation of a negotiation body for revising the Yellow Envelope Act to the Democratic Party of Korea on the 10th. The main idea is not only to discuss the Yellow Envelope Act itself but also to address key issues such as the improvement of the comprehensive wage system, restructuring of the wage system, and overall labor market flexibility and protection of workers' rights.

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