Human Rights Chief Welcomes Restoration of 'Labor Day' Name... Calls for Stronger Labor Rights

Ahn Chang-ho, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, emphasized the importance of reflecting on the meaning of labor for Labor Day and stressed the need to address the blind spots in the protection of labor rights.

Ahn Changho, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission. Photo by Yonhap News

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On April 29, Chairperson Ahn stated in a message, "Labor Day is a day to recognize the value of labor and to call for social attention and practical actions so that workers can enjoy a life of dignity," adding, "People support themselves and their families through work."

He said, "Restoring the name 'Labor Day' has significance in reinforcing the subjectivity and dignity of labor," and added, "We must go beyond simply changing the name and ensure the maximum protection of workers' fundamental rights." He also noted, "Although Labor Day has been designated as a paid holiday starting this year, the guarantee of paid leave has varied depending on the type of employment," stressing that "policy efforts are needed to address labor market polarization."

Chairperson Ahn also identified changes in the labor environment driven by the spread of artificial intelligence (AI) as a key challenge. He argued, "AI technology is having a concentrated impact on unstable forms of work such as platform labor, special-type workers, and freelancers, increasing the potential for both job displacement and violations of labor rights." Furthermore, he stated, "We will analyze factors that lead to labor rights violations and prepare measures to improve the system."

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