Civil Society Groups: "The Yellow Envelope Act Is for All Citizens"

The "Stop Irregular Employment Joint Struggle" is holding a press conference on the 5th in front of the National Assembly to announce a vehicle march encircling the National Assembly. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Civic groups emphasized that the amendment to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act (the Yellow Envelope Act) is a law for citizens, not just labor unions, as they urged its passage.

On the 5th, civic groups including People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, Lawyers for a Democratic Society, and the Korean Women’s Associations United held a "Press Conference by Civic Groups Urging the Amendment of Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act for All Citizens" in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.

Representatives from People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy stated, "Guaranteeing workers the right to be recognized as workers and ensuring strike actions without retaliation from employers is a right for all citizens," adding, "In reality, the three labor rights guaranteed by the Constitution (the right to organize, the right to collective bargaining, and the right to collective action) are not effectively protected."

They also said, "The ruling party, government, and economic organizations are busy misleading public opinion, while the major opposition party is unable to advance discussions in the National Assembly," and emphasized, "The current Labor Union Act, which discriminates and excludes based on employment types, must be amended promptly."

The Yellow Envelope Act is an amendment that expands the scope of workers and employers and limits unreasonable claims for damages against labor unions. Its name originates from the 2014 Ssangyong Motor incident, when supporters of the labor union sent donations in yellow envelopes.

The civic group "Stop Irregular Employment Joint Struggle" also held a press conference in front of the National Assembly in the afternoon, urging the passage of the Yellow Envelope Act. The group stated, "The Yellow Envelope Act cannot be delayed any longer to guarantee workers’ right to livelihood and fundamental rights," and demanded, "The National Assembly must respond as soon as possible." They plan to hold a vehicle march from the Yongsan Presidential Office to the National Assembly on the 7th to urge the law’s amendment.