Latest news with #TradeUnionandLaborRelationsAdjustmentAct
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Labor minister nominee says Korea should reduce work hours
Kim reaffirms support for Yellow Envelope Law, calls it 'non-negotiable' Kim Young-hoon, President Lee Jae Myung's nominee for minister of employment and labor, pledged to push forward key labor reforms, including the 4.5-day workweek, an extension of the retirement age, and revisions to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act, a proposal known as the Yellow Envelope Law. 'These are the paths we must take,' Kim told reporters outside the Labor Ministry's Seoul regional office, where he began preparations for his National Assembly confirmation hearing. 'Reducing working hours through a 4.5-day workweek or extending the retirement age are the only tools that can overcome crises such as the digital transition, population decline, aging society and labor shortages.' While emphasizing the need for reform, Kim clarified that 'no policy will be enforced simply based on ideology or justification,' promising to consider challenges businesses may face and to pursue change through labor-management-government dialogue. He identified the fragmentation of the labor market as the most urgent challenge. 'Whereas the focus used to be on permanent versus temporary employment, now it's about an increasingly segmented workforce,' Kim said. 'Unifying this fragmented landscape aligns with the Lee administration's vision of growth and inclusion.' Highlighting the need for broader labor protections, Kim stressed support for precarious workers who fall outside legal coverage. 'Safeguarding the right to work for our ordinary neighbors unprotected by the law is a top priority,' he said. On Wednesday, Kim reiterated his strong commitment to revising Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act, stating it is 'not a matter of choice, but the path we must take.' Kim emphasized the need to institutionalize bargaining structures for fragmented labor sectors. 'If the government fails to support negotiations across diverse labor groups, it is abandoning its responsibility,' he said. 'The law mandates that the government assist and facilitate such negotiations — this amendment is one method of doing that.' The Yellow Envelope Law, long championed by labor groups, seeks to expand the definition of an employer to include parent companies, allowing subcontractor unions to negotiate directly with principal firms. It also aims to restrict excessive damage claims filed against striking workers. Business circles have pushed back, arguing it could encourage illegal strikes. The controversy dates back to May 2009, when unionized workers of SsangYong Motor Co. staged a strike to oppose layoffs. Five years later, the Supreme Court declared the strike illegal and ordered the workers to pay 4.7 billion won ($3.6 million) in compensation to the company and the state. Civic activists then delivered yellow envelopes with donations to support the SsangYong workers, raising the need to amend the trade union law in favor of striking workers. The revision has since been called the Yellow Envelope Law. Asked if he plans to engage further with business leaders on the issue, Kim said he has not formed any specific plans or positions. On social dialogue, Kim said it remains a crucial tool for resolving conflict-ridden issues across Korean society. 'Negotiation is harder than striking, but there's no alternative to negotiation,' he added. A veteran labor leader and until this week a Korea Railroad Corporation train engineer, Kim has held key posts including head of the railway union and chair of the KCTU. He supported Lee's labor pledges during both the 2022 and 2025 presidential campaigns and officially submitted his retirement notice to Korail on Monday.
Korea Herald
20-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul bus operators keep ‘no work, no pay' rule during drivers' strike
The Seoul Bus Transport Association, which represents Seoul-based bus operators, announced Tuesday that it will maintain the 'no work, no pay' principle for the upcoming nationwide strike on May 28. While apologizing for the deadlocked wage talks between the unionized bus drivers and management, the association insisted that it will take legal action against any attempt to obstruct voluntary bus operations during the bus drivers' strike. 'We will strictly adhere to the no-work, no pay principle stipulated by the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act. The association will take appropriate measures to ensure the rights of the drivers who decide not to participate in the strike as well,' said Kim Jung-hwan, chair of Seoul Bus Transport Association, during a press conference on Tuesday. The no-work, no pay principle states that no payment can be made for workers on strike and the respective unions have to pay their striking workers. Kim added that through cooperation with the police, Seoul Metropolitan Government and its 25 district offices, legal action will be taken against anyone who attempts to block bus operations or prevent drivers from working voluntarily. The association also emphasized that it will make considerable efforts to reach a mutually acceptable agreement with the unionized bus drivers. 'The association fully recognizes the drivers' (dissatisfaction with the) current compensation system. And we would like to discuss the extent of any additional increase based on the current salary. The claims about a wage freeze or a reduction in salaries are unfounded,' the chair explained. However, the Korean Automobile and Transport Workers' Federation previously argued that the regular bonuses and allowances, which are closely related to continued employment and the number of working days, need to be included in any new wage system. As the Supreme Court of Korea revised the criteria and scope of base pay in a ruling made in December 2024, the union insisted that regular bonuses must be reflected in the new base pay and that the matter is not up for negotiation. The Seoul Bus Transport Association, however, argued that the union's demand is unrealistic and unacceptable. 'If the union's demands are accepted, it will amount to an excessive wage increase of approximately 300 billion won ($215 million) per year. A sharp increase in the transportation budget would require either a reduction in the budget for the welfare policies designed for Seoul citizens or a significant fare hike,' Kim explained. The association stated that the intent behind the court ruling was to make both the union and management build a future-oriented wage system, adding that wages are not determined by law, but through mutual agreement between labor and management. The unionized bus drivers previously announced that they would approach negotiations with an open mind to minimize public inconvenience in early May. If no acceptable agreement is reached within the 15-day mediation period, a nationwide strike will begin with the first bus on May 28. The union sent an official letter to the association to request two separate meetings for negotiation one on a day between Wednesday to Sunday, and one on May 27, according to the Seoul Bus Transport Association. The association accepted the request and scheduled a meeting for this week. But the exact date for the negotiation is yet to be announced.
Korea Herald
10-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Strengthening labor rights, measures to protect clinical trial data
The Korea Herald republishes a weekly legislative report by local law firm DR & AJU LLC to provide the latest information on bills approved, proposed, pending and set to be promulgated. -- Ed. Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act Proposed by Rep. Park Hong-bae (Democratic Party of Korea) ● This amendment strengthens protections for fundamental labor rights under the Constitution. Notably, it enhances contractors' responsibilities toward subcontractor workers and specifies provisions limiting employers' claims for damages against employees and trade unions. Proposed Bill: Partial Amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act Proposed by Rep. Lee Hoon-ki (Democratic Party of Korea) ● Currently, individuals who become the largest shareholder through other shareholders' stock disposal are not subject to the public interest test or authorization by the Ministry of Science and ICT. To prevent potential abuse, this amendment mandates a governmental review for such cases. Pending Bill: Partial Amendment to the Commercial Act Proposed by Rep. Lee Jung-mun (Democratic Party of Korea) ● This amendment extends directors' duty of loyalty both to the company and to its shareholders, requiring them to protect all shareholders' interests and ensure fair treatment. Promulgated Bill: Rules on Safety of Drugs, etc. Competent Authority: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety ● Following the amendment to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, which introduced a new system for protecting clinical trial data, this bill specifies the drugs subject to data protection, information disclosure and defines drugs requiring risk management. Administrative Announcement: Partial Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources Competent Authority: Ministry of Environment ● This amendment modifies the scope of designated recycling business entities required to use waste plastic recycled raw materials, shifting the obligation from plastic substance manufacturers to businesses producing bottled water or nonalcoholic drinks, the bottles of which are made from polyethylene terephthalate.
