Will Nationwide Public Officials' Union Be Allowed... Police React Positively

Expansion of Federation Approval and Membership Scope
Amendment to Public Officials' Union Act Bill Imminent
National Police Unions Possible Upon National Assembly Passage

National Police Agency. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] An amendment to the "Act on the Establishment and Operation of Public Officials' Workplace Councils (Public Officials' Workplace Council Act)" that prohibits the establishment of nationwide 'federation'-type workplace councils for public officials is being promoted.

On the 16th, according to the police and others, Lee Eun-joo, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the Justice Party, is expected to propose a partial amendment bill to the Public Officials' Workplace Council Act that allows workplace councils to form federated councils by institution and expands the scope of workplace council membership. The government is also known to plan to propose a similar government bill as early as next month.

Since the Public Officials' Workplace Council Act was enacted in 1998, workplace councils have served as official channels to discuss improvements in working conditions, work efficiency, and grievance handling with the heads of affiliated institutions. While the establishment of nationwide workplace councils has been prohibited, last year, workplace councils were allowed for nationwide organizations such as the police and fire departments, leading to many demands for legal amendments. In the case of the police, although promotions, ranks, and treatment are standardized nationwide, workplace councils are established separately at each police station, and even then, discussions can only be held with the station chief, making it virtually impossible to improve treatment through the workplace councils.

When there was a move to promote the establishment of nationwide workplace councils, the National Police Agency intervened, stating that it was "beyond the scope permitted by law." Jung Hak-seop, president of the Busan Northern Police Station Workplace Council, said, "It is welcome that provisions prohibiting federations that do not fit the police are being eased," and added, "I hope the law will be amended in the National Assembly to reflect the opinions of field police officers."