Conservative Party Leader Visits Korean Confederation of Trade Unions After 6 Years
Kim Jong-in: "Labor Relations Law Reform and Non-Regular Worker Issues Must Be Addressed"
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions: "Social Safety Net Cannot Be Negotiated with Flexibility Compensation"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The People Power Party is gearing up for labor reform in earnest, but it is facing difficulties even in forming a task force (TF) for revising labor-related laws. Although Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, personally met with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), it remains uncertain whether the labor sector will participate in the TF. The FKTU stated that since there have been no concrete mentions from the People Power Party, they will observe the situation.
Lee Eun-ho, spokesperson for the FKTU, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 29th, “The party said they want to create a special committee for labor reform and asked if the FKTU would participate, but we did not give a definite answer. We need to discuss it internally.” He added, “They said they want to move away from past frameworks such as easy dismissal, but in the end, we need to wait and see.”
Chairman Kim Jong-in held a meeting with the FKTU leadership the day before. It was the first time in six years since a conservative party leader met with the FKTU, the last being Kim Moo-sung, then leader of the Saenuri Party, in September 2014. However, differences in positions were evident from the opening remarks regarding labor law revisions.
Chairman Kim Jong-in stated, “Considering various situations experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, labor-related laws should be revised to fit new conditions.” He continued, “The problem in our country is how to resolve the situation of non-regular workers. This cannot be solved unless regular and non-regular labor unions cooperate.”
Kim Dong-myung, chairman of the FKTU, said, “I was impressed by the new party platform announced by Chairman Kim Jong-in. I applaud the bold attempts for change such as resolving polarization, eradicating unfair practices, creating quality jobs, ensuring safe working environments, and establishing progressive labor-management relations.” However, he pointed out, “The push for labor market flexibility and the issue of converting to regular employment require deeper discussions and social consensus considering our country’s uniqueness and historical experience. Strengthening the social safety net is the responsibility of the state and cannot be traded as compensation for labor flexibility.”
The core of the labor reform proposed by the People Power Party includes flexibilization of working hours and wage systems, transition to industry-level labor unions, and reform of the social insurance system. This reflects the recognition that labor-related laws must be revised in line with the post-COVID era and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. On the 13th, Chairman Kim Jong-in met with Kim Jong-cheol, leader of the Justice Party, and mentioned the 1930s “Swedish labor model,” expressing a positive stance on equal pay for equal work and the labor director system.
Meanwhile, at a closed-door meeting on the same day, the FKTU discussed issues such as special employment workers (teukso) and ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) core conventions. The People Power Party responded that it was difficult to answer on the spot and promised to prepare and send a written response within a few days.
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