Minister of Employment Calls Platform Companies for "Cooperation in Passing the Platform Workers Act This Year"

Minister of Employment and Labor An Kyung-duk poses for a commemorative photo at the platform company CEO meeting held on the afternoon of the 3rd at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. (Photo by Ministry of Employment and Labor)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] An Kyung-duk, Minister of Employment and Labor, held a meeting with platform companies on the 3rd and said, "The Platform Workers Protection Act (Act on the Protection and Support of Platform Workers) must pass the National Assembly within this year."

On the afternoon of the same day, Minister An held a meeting at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, with representatives of 11 platform companies and officials from the Korea Startup Forum (KOSPO), stating, "A legal foundation is necessary for the development of the platform industry and the protection of workers' rights." Representatives from Daeri Jubu, Mamsitter, Spidercraft, Woowa Brothers, Wishcat, Cleaning Research Institute, Jjaekak Ageo, Kakao Mobility, Crowdworks, Kmong, and Primoa attended. This is the second time Minister An has held a meeting with platform companies since April.

The government set a policy goal last December to establish fair contractual relationships between platform companies and workers and has been promoting legislation on the Platform Workers Act. The bill, primarily proposed by Jang Cheol-min of the Democratic Party in March, includes provisions that require platform operators and business users to provide written contracts to platform workers. It is currently under review by the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee's bill examination subcommittee.

Minister An stated, "According to the OECD in 2019, 40% of new jobs created over ten years since 2005 were generated in the digital industry," adding, "Like other countries, South Korea has seen many jobs created through platforms." He emphasized, "Platform companies actively utilize digital technology to provide services precisely tailored to sensitive customer demands and have created many necessary jobs. For this platform industry to continue growing and gain public trust, protection and support for workers are essential." He further urged companies, "Please pay close attention so that platform workers can enroll in employment and industrial accident insurance and receive appropriate vocational training."

Choi Sung-jin, CEO of the Korea Startup Forum, said, "There is a growing social consensus on the need to establish measures to protect the rights and interests of workers as the platform industry grows," and added, "We look forward to reasonable and fair systems being discussed in the future."