Governor Won Hee-ryong: "We Will Strive to Improve Working Conditions for Public Service Workers"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters (Jeju) Reporter Park Chang-won] Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced on the 24th that it has agreed to overcome the crisis through cooperation with the Jeju Province Public Officials Labor Union amid the crisis situation of the COVID-19 pandemic and realistic budget constraints.

Jeju Province recently signed this year's wage agreement with the Jeju Province Public Officials Labor Union at the '2020 Public Officials Wage Agreement Ceremony.'

The agreement ceremony was attended by Governor Won Hee-ryong, Hong Jeong-hyeok, chairman of the provincial public officials labor union, and about 20 labor-management negotiation committee members.

At the ceremony, Governor Won said, "Due to COVID-19, public officials have worked hard this year more than anyone else, being deployed not only in public bus services, garbage trucks, and environmental sanitation supporting the livelihood of residents but also in medical, nursing, health care, and quarantine fields," expressing his gratitude.

Governor Won added, "We must boost the morale of public officials and reward their efforts, but it is regrettable that some matters could not be accepted," and said, "I hope you understand the COVID-19 situation and realistic budget constraints."

He continued, "Even under these difficult conditions, public officials worked as one family and as owners of workplaces protecting the daily lives of residents, so the administration will also devote affection and effort to ensure they can feel a sense of fulfillment and pride."

He also emphasized, "We will do our best to continuously improve the working environment, wages, and welfare of public officials."

Hong Jeong-hyeok, chairman of the Jeju Province Public Officials Labor Union, said, "From now on, we will work hard with a heart to serve the residents of Jeju," and added, "We hope this will be an opportunity for labor unions to coexist and cooperate with Jeju Province."

Jeju Province received the negotiation proposal from the provincial public officials labor union on June 8 and reached an agreement on the negotiation plan on the 11th after 12 rounds of negotiations.

Through this agreement, the basic salary of public officials is expected to increase by 2.8% compared to the previous year, and the eligibility for longevity allowance, meal allowance increase, and special duty allowance payment will also be partially expanded.

Jeju Province plans to pay the retroactive wage amounts next month after signing the wage agreement on this day.