On the 17th, Kim Yong-gi, Vice Chairman of the Job Committee (left), and Byeon Gwang-yong, Mayor of Geoje (right), had a conversation about employment stabilization at Seoul Station. (Photo by Geoje City Hall)
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] Geoje City is seeking a new leap in the shipbuilding industry by promoting a ‘win-win employment retention model’ to stabilize employment in the shipbuilding sector.
According to the city, although expectations for economic revitalization in the region are rising due to recent contracts such as the 23 trillion won slot agreement for Qatar LNG ships by the three major shipbuilders, in reality, large-scale workforce restructuring is inevitable due to the decline in maritime cargo volume in 2020 and the drop in international oil prices.
Byun Gwang-yong, Mayor of Geoje City, stated, “Since the second half of 2020, a significant job loss centered on subcontractors is anticipated due to a shortage of work at the two major shipyards,” adding, “There is an urgent need for employment stabilization measures through a shipbuilding employment retention model involving the government, local governments, and labor-management cooperation.”
On the morning of the 17th at around 6:50 a.m., Mayor Byun met with Kim Yong-gi, Vice Chairman of the Employment Committee, at Seoul Station for a 30-minute discussion.
Mayor Byun said, “If we fail to maintain the employment of skilled workers and strengthen technological competitiveness in the shipbuilding sector, we will inevitably face difficulties due to technical issues even if we secure future orders,” emphasizing, “We must actively seek ways to retain employment.”
He further stressed, “If a win-win model involving the government, Geoje City, the two major shipyards, and subcontractors is established, it will be possible to pursue more stable employment retention.”
In response, Vice Chairman Kim expressed strong agreement on the necessity of measures to maintain employment and continued positive discussions on the recovery of employment crises in the shipbuilding industry and the win-win employment stabilization model.
Finally, Mayor Byun concluded the discussion by requesting, “I ask the government to actively cooperate in creating alternatives that can turn this crisis into an opportunity.”
The city is determined to strengthen employment retention in the shipbuilding industry by jointly responding to the employment crisis through a regional win-win cooperation model that fosters social consensus among Geoje City, employers, and workers, and by adding special city financial support projects to the government’s support measures.
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