Government to Crack Down on Illegal Practices Such as Forced Hiring at Construction Sites by End of November... All Available Personnel Mobilized

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] The government will conduct a comprehensive inspection and crackdown on illegal activities at construction sites, such as forced hiring, until the end of November.

On the 28th, the government held a meeting of related ministries chaired by Park Guyeon, First Deputy Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and announced plans to carry out inspections and crackdowns at about 350 locations from October 17 to the end of November.

This inspection and crackdown will mobilize all available personnel from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Korea Fair Trade Commission, and the National Police Agency. The main types of illegal activities targeted include forced hiring of union members by labor unions, obstruction or occupation of construction site access, and unfair demands for money or goods.

The targeted construction sites include not only those where damage reports have been filed but also sites with large numbers of participants or where assemblies have been reported under the names of two or more organizations, totaling around 350 locations.

Earlier, at the end of March, the government established and implemented measures to eradicate illegal activities such as forced hiring at construction sites. The new administration has incorporated related issues into its national agenda and formed and operates regional working-level consultative bodies in 18 cities and provinces nationwide.

The government plans to respond strictly in principle by applying general criminal law, the Employment Procedure Act, the Fair Trade Act, and other relevant laws through active investigations when demands are enforced through illegal activities.

Deputy Minister Park said, "Illegal activities such as forced hiring are not new, but their content and severity are increasing," adding, "The current administration’s determination to eradicate illegal activities remains unchanged, and it is necessary to correct wrongful practices through strong law enforcement in collaboration with related ministries."