Economic Six Organizations: "No Precedent for the 'Yellow Envelope Act'... Stop Legislative Discussions"

Held Joint Press Conference at the National Assembly Opposing the Amendment
"Encourages Illegal Union Activities... Undermines the Principle of Equal Labor-Management Relations"

Lee Dong-geun, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, is speaking at the joint press conference opposing the revision of Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act held by six economic organizations at the National Assembly on the 6th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Economic organizations held a joint press conference to voice their opposition to the ruling party's forced passage of the "Amendment to the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act" (commonly known as the Yellow Envelope Act). They argued that the amendment does not align with the purpose of the Labor Union Act, which is to ensure fair labor-management relations and the development of the national economy, and that it focuses solely on strengthening the powers of labor unions.

On the 6th, the vice presidents of six major economic organizations?the Korea Employers Federation, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Korean Industries, the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, and the Korea Federation of Medium-sized Enterprises?held a "Joint Press Conference Opposing the Amendment of Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act" at the National Assembly Communication Hall.

On the 30th of last month, the opposition party submitted an amendment to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act to the Employment and Labor Subcommittee of the Environment and Labor Committee, which limits the employer's right to claim damages for illegal strike actions by labor unions. At the press conference, the vice presidents of the six economic organizations stated, "Legislation that restricts claims for damages against illegal strike actions by labor unions cannot be found anywhere else in the world."

The vice presidents also expressed opposition to the expansion of the concepts of workers, employers, and labor disputes under the amendment. They warned that expanding the definition of workers would extend the protection of the Labor Union Act to collusive acts by self-employed individuals, potentially causing serious disruption to market order. Lee Dong-geun, the full-time vice president of the Korea Employers Federation, said, "The expansion of the employer concept, which could be subject to criminal penalties under the Labor Union Act, to an unpredictable scope violates the principle of legality and greatly undermines legal stability."

He added, "Especially in the case of expanding the concept of labor disputes, it could include high-level management decisions, ongoing court cases, and even political issues as subjects of strike actions, greatly increasing the likelihood of a surge in labor disputes." He also argued, "Granting civil immunity to illegal acts by labor unions undermines the rule of law and infringes on constitutional rights such as property rights, equality rights, and the right to request a trial."

The day before, the Korea Employers Federation released a public survey showing that 80% of the Korean population opposes the amendment to the Labor Union Act. Given the strong public opposition to the bill's content and the many issues from a legal order perspective, the business community is calling for the halt of any forced passage of the bill in the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the controversial amendment to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act is scheduled to be discussed tomorrow at the Environment and Labor Committee's bill review subcommittee. Despite the opposition, the business community fears that the opposition party, which holds an absolute majority, may push the bill through.