Lee Jaegap Meets Business Leaders, Requests "Confirmed Youth New Hires and Cooperation on ILO Ratification"

Minister Lee Jae-gap of the Ministry of Employment and Labor and Chairman Son Kyung-sik of the Korea Employers Federation are attending the '30 Major Companies CHO Meeting' held on the 25th at the Koreana Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Lee Jae-gap, Minister of Employment and Labor, met with business leaders on the 25th and requested, "Please promptly finalize and actively promote the youth new hiring plans for the second half of the year."

On the same day, Minister Lee held a meeting at the Koreana Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, with Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, and CHOs (Chief Human Resources Officers) and labor managers from the top 30 domestic companies, expressing this request.

He said, "It is the responsibility of companies and the older generation to give hope to young people who have been driven into the 'COVID-19 employment cliff,'" adding, "Although these are difficult times, please make efforts to hire youth by making maximum use of non-face-to-face interview methods."

Minister Lee also conveyed a message asking for cooperation to ensure that the amendment to the Labor Union Act (Labor Union Law) for ratifying the International Labour Organization (ILO) core conventions can be completed within this year.

The Labor Union Act includes provisions to allow dismissed and unemployed persons to join labor unions and to delete the prohibition on paying salaries to full-time union officials. The business community holds the view that the amendment to the Labor Union Act is overly focused on strengthening labor rights and does not fit the domestic situation, raising concerns that it may exacerbate labor-management conflicts.

Minister Lee said, "I am well aware of the business community's interest and concerns regarding the amendment to the Labor Union Act," but emphasized, "It is also important to comply with international labor standards in line with our country's national dignity and to resolve trade risks to support business activities."

Minister Lee Jae-gap of the Ministry of Employment and Labor is attending the '30 Major Companies CHO Meeting' held on the 25th at the Koreana Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Furthermore, he urged full efforts to prepare for the post-COVID era in anticipation of industrial restructuring centered on non-face-to-face and online methods.

Minister Lee said, "Companies should strive for technological innovation in accordance with changes in industry and economic structures and actively promote workplace innovation to improve working methods and culture," adding, "The government also plans to actively support companies' innovation efforts in various ways."

He also requested, "Please comply with the amended Industrial Safety and Health Act, which has been in effect since January this year, to ensure that workers can work in a safe environment, and play a role in eradicating workplace harassment such as verbal abuse and violence so that a desirable workplace culture can be established."

After Minister Lee's opening remarks, the Ministry of Employment and Labor explained key employment and labor policies to the attending business representatives, including ▲recent employment trends and measures ▲youth new hiring ▲amendment of the Labor Union Act related to ratification of the ILO core conventions ▲strengthening industrial safety, and discussed current employment and labor issues.

Minister Lee stated, "Since we have experience overcoming many difficulties together, such as the foreign exchange crisis and the financial crisis, we will surely overcome this crisis as well through communication and cooperation," and added, "We will listen more closely to voices from the field during the policy implementation process and seek reasonable policy alternatives."