Minister Lee Jeong-sik Visiting Korea Employers Federation: "Strict Response to Illegal Activities in Industrial Sites"

On the 17th, at the Gyeongchong Hall in Mapo-gu, Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation (left), met with Lee Jung-sik, the newly appointed Minister of Employment and Labor.
Photo by Korea Employers Federation

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] On the 17th, Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, visited the Korea Employers Federation (KEF) and announced a strict response policy against illegal activities in industrial sites.

Minister Lee visited KEF following his visit to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) the previous day, meeting with representative organizations and institutions from both labor and management sides.

Meeting with Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of KEF, Minister Lee said, "The government will strictly respond to illegal activities in industrial sites regardless of labor or management," adding, "We recognize establishing the rule of law in industrial sites as an important government task."

He explained, "For improving labor-management relations, partnership and trust between labor and management are very important," and "Institutional improvements must also be based on mutual trust between labor and management. The government will maintain a balanced perspective and fulfill its role as a mediator while communicating frequently."

Regarding the development of labor-management relations, he said, "There are significant differences in views between labor and management, making it a challenging task," and "Improvements in the labor system are necessary according to industrial and economic changes, but the practical suitability and mutual consistency of systems, consciousness, and practices are required." He continued, "Partnership and trust between labor and management are very important for improving labor-management relations, and institutional improvements must be based on mutual trust. The government will maintain balance and fulfill its role as a mediator while communicating frequently."

He also stated, "The government's industrial safety policy focuses on prevention and support, aiming to prevent industrial accidents," and urged, "We ask companies to pay more attention and effort to preventing industrial accidents."

Son Kyung-sik, Chairman of KEF, requested improvements in labor-management relation systems, employment flexibility, and working hours issues. He said, "Changes in labor-management relation systems that accommodate industrial and economic changes are necessary," and "There are several important tasks for labor reform, including improvements in employment flexibility, working hours, and industrial accident issues."

Chairman Son emphasized, "Our labor laws were created when labor was the weaker party, focusing on protection for labor and workers, but today, the power dynamics have reversed," adding, "It is necessary to improve systems such as criminal penalties for unfair labor practices and issues related to replacement labor to meet global standards."

Along with this, he also requested strict punishment for illegal activities. He said, "Before improving legal systems, strict responses to illegal activities in industrial sites are important," and "Proper enforcement of public authority against illegal activities in industrial sites will lay the foundation for improving labor-management relations."

Finally, regarding improvements to the Serious Accident Punishment Act, he pointed out, "There are significant concerns from companies due to the law's punishment-centered nature," and "Industrial accident issues should focus on prevention, but if the approach is punishment-centered, it will be difficult to support companies' efforts for prevention and education."