“We Want to Rest Too” … Gyeongnam Education Officials Union Demands ‘Reward Leave’

The Gyeongnam Office of Education Public Officials Union held a press conference criticizing the provincial Office of Education's administration. / Photo by Se-ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Gyeongnam Office of Education Public Officials Labor Union criticized the provincial education office on the 17th, accusing it of "passive administration."

The Gyeongnam Education Labor Union claimed that although the local public officials under the Gyeongnam Superintendent of Education should have been granted reward leave following the revision, promulgation, and enforcement of the local public officials' service ordinance on May 5, they have yet to receive such leave.

They stated, "According to a 2020 survey on morale improvement measures for local public officials working at various institutions and schools, 79.1% responded that morale was low," adding, "Unfair task delegation, excessive workload, and poor working conditions are the causes."

They continued, "The number of personnel has decreased, but the workload is too heavy and has increased excessively," and "Local public officials, who silently support the massive wheel of public education in response to COVID-19, are legitimate subjects of education, yet improvements in their treatment have been neglected."

The union asserted that last year, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education became the first nationwide to provide two days of reward leave to its local public officials, followed by Incheon granting two days of leave, and Gyeonggi Province providing reward leave to some employees by distinguishing job categories.

They said, "Gyeongnam responded passively, stating that reward leave could be promoted if other city and provincial education offices implement the system," adding, "During school vacations, teachers engage in self-study, and educational public employees conduct autonomous training, but local public officials spend busy days guarding empty schools and preparing for the new semester."

The union urged the provincial education office to ▲ actively perform administrative duties ▲ provide reward leave according to Article 23, Paragraph 15 of the related ordinance ▲ implement agreed matters such as collective agreements ▲ establish morale improvement measures for local public officials ▲ improve labor conditions for local public officials, including additional staffing and workload reduction.

They plan to continue one-person protests, tent sit-ins, and rallies in front of the provincial education office thereafter.