Son Kyung-sik "Cooperative Labor-Management Relations in the COVID-19 Era, Not a Choice but a Necessity"

The 33rd Korea Labor-Management Cooperation Awards Ceremony
Proposal to Korea Federation of Trade Unions to Establish a Partnership for 'Collaborative Labor-Management Relations'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] On the 12th, Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, proposed cooperation between central-level organizations for a 'collaborative labor-management relationship' to the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU).

At the '33rd Korea Labor-Management Cooperation Awards' ceremony held at the Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, Chairman Sohn stated, "A collaborative labor-management relationship is not a choice but an essential survival strategy to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and prepare for the post-COVID era."

Regarding Korea's confrontational labor culture, which remains at one of the lowest levels globally, Chairman Sohn said, "We will diagnose the causes of confrontational labor-management relations with the country's top experts and labor representatives and seek solutions." He added, "To address youth unemployment and social polarization, we will work with labor to find ways to enhance labor market flexibility while complementing stability."

He also emphasized the recent series of industrial accident cases, stating, "We will raise compliance and safety awareness among both labor and management regarding industrial accidents and support customized industrial accident prevention activities tailored to the realities of companies."

In particular, Chairman Sohn proposed that the Korea Employers Federation and the FKTU, each representing labor and management at the central level, establish a partnership. Addressing Chairman Kim Dong-myung of the FKTU, who attended the ceremony, he said, "Let us jointly form a task force (TF) to develop agendas for the advancement of labor-management relations and also establish a consultative body for industrial site safety campaigns and support for safety-vulnerable workplaces."

Meanwhile, the labor-management cooperation awards ceremony was attended by Chairman Sohn, Chairman Kim, Minister of Employment and Labor Ahn Kyung-deok, and Chairman Moon Sung-hyun of the Economic and Social Labor Council. The grand prize recipients included Nexen Tire (large enterprise category), SeAH Steel and Korea Financial Telecommunications & Clearings Institute (mid-sized and small enterprises), and the excellence award recipients included Hanwha Defense (large enterprise category) and Susan E&S (mid-sized and small enterprise category).