[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The ruling and opposition parties are accelerating efforts to supplement the 'Workplace Harassment Prevention Act.' The law will mark its first anniversary on the 16th, but controversies over its effectiveness continue. Members of the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee (Hwan-no-wi) from the Democratic Party and the United Future Party are preparing to submit bills that include provisions for punishing perpetrators and penalties for employers who fail to fulfill their obligations.
A representative from the office of Song Ok-ju, chairperson of the Environment and Labor Committee and member of the Democratic Party, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 10th, "We will gather expert opinions on ways to supplement the law and prepare accordingly," adding, "We plan to legislate measures to enhance effectiveness, such as punishing perpetrators." Im Eui-ja, the opposition party's secretary of the committee from the United Future Party, is also expected to propose a bill that includes stronger punishment for perpetrators and enhanced employer obligations.
The Workplace Harassment Prevention Act has faced skepticism since its enactment. According to a survey conducted by the civic group Workplace Gapjil 119 from the 19th to the 25th of last month targeting 1,000 workers aged 19 to 55, nearly half (45.4%) of respondents experienced workplace harassment in the past year. This figure is 0.9 percentage points higher than the 44.5% harassment experience rate found in a survey by Workplace Gapjil 119 in October last year. Most respondents did not take active measures such as reporting to relevant institutions despite experiencing harassment.
On the afternoon of the 9th, the offices of Democratic Party members Song Ok-ju and Lee Soo-jin held a 'Workplace Harassment Forum' at the National Assembly Members' Office Building to discuss responses from the field and future tasks. Song said, "Although one year has passed since the Workplace Harassment Prevention Act was enacted, many parts are insufficient and need supplementation," adding, "We will work harder on institutional improvements in the Environment and Labor Committee."
Lee said, "Even preventive education on workplace harassment is relatively concentrated among regular employees and office workers in large corporations and workplaces with labor unions," adding, "I hope discussions on legal and institutional improvements will be held so that all workers can be protected by the law."
Kim Hyung-dong, a member of the United Future Party and former member of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, also attended the forum. Kim emphasized, "Workplace harassment is not a matter of ruling or opposition parties," adding, "It is not about the size of the workplace, and it should never happen, whether inside or outside the National Assembly."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
