Establishment of 'Platform Workers Protection' Deliberation Body under the Tripartite Commission (Comprehensive)

Chairman Chey Tae-won Attends Main Committee for the First Time... "Let's Find a Solution on How to Divide the Pie"

Moon Sung-hyun, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, speaking at the 10th plenary session of the Economic, Social and Labor Council held at the council in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 7th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] A new council to discuss protection measures for platform industry workers, including those in the rapidly growing delivery service sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic, will be established under the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC), a social dialogue body directly under the President. This comes as safety issues for these workers have become a social concern, leading to active discussions on related industrial accident insurance and other matters.

On the afternoon of the 7th, ESLC held its plenary session and approved four agenda items, including the establishment of the 'Platform Industry Committee' under its umbrella. This was the first plenary session held by ESLC, its highest decision-making body, in 11 months since July last year.

The Platform Industry Committee will discuss ways to revitalize the platform economy based on digital networks, protect the basic rights of workers, and create a transparent and fair industrial ecosystem.

Moon Sung-hyun, Chairman of ESLC, said, "Through the establishment of the Platform Industry Committee, I hope it will be an opportunity to establish new rules and market order for the platform industry as a fair industry through the participation and cooperation of various stakeholders."

ESLC also agreed to continue operating the Public Institutions Committee under its umbrella for an additional nine months until March next year. The Public Institutions Committee will focus on discussing improvements to wage systems, including the wage peak system for public institutions.

In addition, the agenda to extend the operation period of the Tourism Industry Committee by six months and to partially revise the ESLC operation rules also passed at the plenary session that day.

Chairman Chey Tae-won of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry speaking at the 10th plenary session of the Economic and Social Labor Council held at the Tripartite Commission in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 7th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

At the plenary session, Choi Tae-won, Chairman of SK and Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), attended as a user representative from the business community. This was Chairman Choi's first attendance at an ESLC plenary session.

Chairman Choi said, "Since taking office, I have listened to many opinions from all walks of society and continue to do so. The keyword I hear most often is 'communication.' As a representative of the business community, I will convey the voice of companies but will approach this with an open attitude."

He added, "Often, people repeat their own claims from their respective positions. While there is the issue of 'how to grow the pie,' I hope this will be a place to seek solutions to the issue of 'how to divide the pie.'"