Yoon: "Labor dual structure is exploitation, correcting it is labor reform"

President Yoon Holds Luncheon Meeting with Current and Former Chairpersons of the Economic and Social Labor Committee
"Significant Wage Differences for the Same Work Are Unacceptable"
Visible Progress in Abolishing Employment Succession

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 11th, President Yoon Seok-yeol defined the asymmetrical structure between labor unions (노노, 勞勞) that causes wage issues among workers performing the same labor as "commonly called a dual structure, but more accurately an exploitation structure." In particular, President Yoon emphasized that correcting the asymmetry between labor unions is the most important issue in labor reform.

President Yoon made these remarks during a luncheon meeting with Kim Moon-soo, the current chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC), and former chairmen at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, according to a written briefing by presidential spokesperson Lee Jae-myung.

The presidential office explained that this was the first time a president invited former ESLC chairmen for a meal. The meeting was arranged to hear the experiences and insights of past ESLC leaders regarding labor reform, a key reform agenda of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Among the former chairmen who attended were Han Kwang-ok (1st), Jang Young-chul (4th), Choi Jong-tae (10th), Kim Dae-hwan (11th), and the immediate predecessor Moon Sung-hyun (12th).

President Yoon first emphasized, "If people doing the same work receive significantly different wages and face discrimination, this is something that cannot happen in a modern civilized country," adding, "Correcting these issues is labor reform."

Former Chairman Han advised, "One can only appeal to patriotism by saying that the country must exist for companies to exist, and companies must exist for jobs to exist," and added, "If you consistently explain to various sectors that labor reform is the proposition of this era and for the people, good results will follow."

Former Chairman Kim also said, "Since labor reform is ultimately for workers and national interest, if it is pursued consistently with principles, it will be able to move the hearts of the people."

Spokesperson Lee also introduced that the abolition of the 'employment inheritance' practice, a core part of labor reform, is showing visible results.

The presidential office views employment inheritance as a privilege of some unions that destroys equal opportunity and fundamentally blocks fair competition, and insists it must be eradicated to protect young people marginalized by parental advantage.

Following corrective orders from the Ministry of Employment and Labor last August, about 60 workplaces have voluntarily implemented improvements, and corrective orders regarding 'employment inheritance' collective agreements at large workplaces such as Kia have been consecutively approved by regional labor commissions.

Spokesperson Lee stated, "Correcting unfairness throughout society has been President Yoon’s promise to the people since the presidential election. We will become a working government that looks only to the people, fulfills the historic mission including labor reform, and shows that the people's choice can change the world."