Conflicts Increase at Construction Sites... Conflict Resolution Center Reports '0 Cases' Received

Status of Monthly Average Construction Site Demonstrations in the Past 5 Years (Provided by the Office of Assemblyman Song Eon-seok)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Amid increasing conflicts such as rallies and protests at construction sites, it has been revealed that the Conflict Resolution Center established to resolve these conflicts has not received a single report so far.

According to data submitted by the National Police Agency and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, analyzed by Song Eon-seok, a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the People Power Party, the number of rallies and protests at construction sites, which was 3,720 cases in 2017, more than doubled to 7,712 cases in 2018, and surpassed 10,000 cases last year with 12,553 cases.

In particular, despite the overall difficulties faced by the construction industry due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) this year, it was found that 7,848 rallies were held up to July this year. This is about 1,121 cases per month, which is higher than the 1,046 cases per month recorded last year. If this trend continues, the number of rallies and protests at construction sites this year is likely to reach around 13,500 cases, an increase from last year.

Construction Industry Conflict Resolution Center Report Status (Provided by Assemblyman Song Eon-seok's Office)

Despite this situation, the 'Construction Industry Labor-Management Conflict Resolution Center,' which was launched to resolve conflicts, appears to be operating in name only.

In July last year, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport established the Conflict Resolution Center together with the Construction Workers' Union and the Construction Association to eradicate unfair practices at construction sites and resolve conflicts. The center was set up to receive reports of disputes between labor and management and to verify the facts.

However, according to data submitted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to Assemblyman Song, there have been no reports received by the center during the 14 months since its launch until the 15th of this month.

Assemblyman Song Eon-seok said, "Conflicts at construction sites are greatly increasing, but the government's measure, the Construction Industry Labor-Management Conflict Resolution Center, is operating in name only," and added, "The government should improve the system and seek additional countermeasures for the development of the construction industry and the coexistence of labor and management."