Minister Lee Jeong-sik: "Resolving Labor Disputes Based on Law and Principles... Must Take Root in the Field"

Minister Lee Jeong-sik Holds Nationwide Agency Heads Meeting
Emphasizes Resolution of Labor Disputes Based on Law and Principles
Establishment of 'Rapid Employment Support TF' in Ulsan, Busan, and Others

Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jeong-sik visited the strike site at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Okpo Shipyard in Aju-dong, Geoje-si, Gyeongnam, on the afternoon of the 19th. He held a meeting with Yoo Choi-an, vice chairman of the Metal Workers' Union Geoje Tongyeong Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontracting Branch, who is protesting inside a 1m by 1m by 1m steel structure on the floor of the shipyard's independent cargo hold.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 25th, Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, held a nationwide agency heads meeting and urged efforts to resolve labor disputes according to laws and principles. Since the strike by subcontractor labor unions at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering ended with a labor-management negotiation settlement based on laws and principles, he emphasized the need to strictly respond to illegal activities by other regional unions in the future to eradicate bad practices.

That morning, Minister Lee held a nationwide agency heads meeting attended by key department heads and 48 local government office chiefs nationwide, stressing the importance of thoroughly advancing core tasks and directives with a sense of urgency.

Minister Lee stated, "There must be no negligence in establishing a culture of autonomous and mutually beneficial labor-management relations within the framework of laws and principles," adding, "Although delayed, the labor-management agreement with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering's in-house subcontractors is fortunate in that it prevented a crisis through concessions and compromise, meeting public expectations."

He continued, "Only by responsibly asserting and acting in compliance with the law can parties with differing interests achieve mutually beneficial compromises," and said, "(The Daewoo Shipbuilding incident) also set an important precedent by eradicating illegal practices and resolving labor disputes according to laws and principles. Local offices should make special efforts to ensure that this policy direction takes root in the field," he urged.

Minister Lee mentioned that since the cause of the Daewoo Shipbuilding subcontractor union strike stemmed from an excessive dual structure in the labor market, he would also focus on preparing coexistence measures between primary contractors and subcontractors.

He explained, "This incident served as an opportunity to reflect on the fundamental problems caused by the dual structure of the labor market and realize that seeking rational alternatives is an urgent task that can no longer be postponed," adding, "since structural issues such as resolving multi-tier subcontracting problems and preparing coexistence measures between primary and subcontractors involve complex and diverse interests, we will support social discussions through bodies like the Economic, Social, and Labor Council."

Minister Lee also said that in a recent work report to President Yoon Seok-yeol, there were instructions to focus on resolving the dual structure and polarization of the labor market and establishing a foundation of laws and principles under the principle of autonomous resolution of labor-management issues.

In particular, Minister Lee emphasized that there have been many cases recently where small and medium-sized businesses in the shipbuilding, root industries, and restaurant sectors are experiencing difficulties in recruiting workers, and announced the formation of an 'Industry-specific Rapid Employment Support Task Force (TF)' to assist with workforce supply. The TF will be established in 16 regions including Ulsan, Mokpo, Busan, and Incheon, where shipbuilding and root industries are concentrated.

He added, "Along with these proactive employment support efforts in the field, the headquarters will promptly prepare customized support measures to resolve industry-specific recruitment difficulties, including the rapid introduction of foreign workers (E9)."

Meanwhile, considering the recent consecutive suspected heatstroke deaths at workplaces since July, Minister Lee explained that additional measures will be implemented to enhance the on-site effectiveness of the 'Heatwave Preparedness Worker Health Protection Measures' which have been in effect since May.

He said, "Agency heads must personally visit heatwave-vulnerable sites to thoroughly conduct safety inspections and resolve difficulties by ensuring compliance with heatstroke prevention rules," adding, "During the special heatwave response period, approximately 10,000 vulnerable sites will be intensively guided and inspected in collaboration with related agencies, and efforts will be made to raise awareness on-site through the dissemination of risk alerts for vulnerable industries and comprehensive preventive publicity."