Ruling and Opposition Aides Unite: "Work-Life Balance Must Be Guaranteed" [Aides Leaving the National Assembly③]

Lee Jibaek, Democratic Party & Je Banghun, People Power Party Staff Council Chairs

"Proposal to Introduce Annual Leave Usage Disclosure System, Need to Rest When Resting"
"Guarantee of Parental Leave and Additional Work Allowance Needed"

Lee Ji-baek, Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea Staff Council

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Boryeong Geum] One of the main reasons why parliamentary aides move to the corporate sector is dissatisfaction with their working conditions. Beyond simply the amount of salary, the so-called ‘work-life balance’ not being well maintained is cited as the biggest drawback for National Assembly aides in performing their duties. The aides’ councils of the People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea are exploring various measures to address this issue, including promoting the use of annual leave and pushing for pay grade increases for aides at grade 6 and below.

Recently elected Lee Ji-baek, chairman of the Democratic Party aides’ council, stated in an interview on the 22nd, "We need to create an environment where people can take annual leave on the days they want," proposing a ‘public disclosure system for annual leave usage.’ Lee said, "If the top 10% of offices that use the most annual leave and the bottom 10% that use the least are publicly disclosed, wouldn’t those in the lower group feel motivated to improve?" He added, "I believe we need to create predictable working conditions where people can rest when they need to."

Je Bang-hoon, chairman of the People Power Party aides’ council, also said, "Those who have moved from the National Assembly to companies and never returned all mention work-life balance," adding, "Some offices still find it difficult to take parental leave or annual leave, and I have hardly ever heard of men taking parental leave." He continued, "There are still offices where it is difficult to guarantee holidays and weekends." While many companies encourage men to take parental leave due to low birth rates, this highlights the National Assembly’s problem, which seems stuck in time.

Jebanghun, Chairman of the People Power Party Staff Council

They agreed that the culture and system that prevent people from resting in the National Assembly as a whole must also change. Lee pointed out, "There is definitely an unfavorable culture that prefers men," adding, "It needs to change, but there are still parts that have not yet changed." Je referred to aides who went to their constituencies ahead of the April general election, saying, "A baby was born in February just before that, but they were not allowed to go, so they only saw the baby for the first time after two months." He emphasized, "The basic things that should be protected are not being protected," and stressed, "Parental leave, annual leave pay, guaranteed weekends and holidays, and additional work pay must be provided."

Lee said, "You cannot force or say that working in the National Assembly means completely giving up one’s personal life," adding, "There is a set working time, so we need to discuss how to allocate tasks more efficiently within that time and how to assign people to produce results." Je also said, "It can vary depending on how the office plans," and added, "It seems necessary to establish individual plans in advance on what needs to be done."