[News Terms] 'OECD Employment, Labour and Social Affairs Department' Criticizes Labor Bias in Korea

The 'Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Directorate of Employment, Labour and Social Affairs (DELSA)' is a department within the OECD Secretariat responsible for employment and social policy, international migration, health, and more. Under DELSA, there are five divisions: Social Policy Division, Jobs and Income Division, Skills and Employability Division, International Migration Division, and Health Division.

Additionally, DELSA oversees and supports two committees: the Employment, Labour and Social Affairs Committee (ELSAC), which conducts comparative studies and policy research on social security systems including pensions, social insurance, social assistance, and disability welfare in OECD member countries; and the Health Committee (HC), which carries out comparative research on healthcare systems, healthcare quality development, and strengthening health data systems. DELSA also publishes the annual 'OECD Employment Outlook' every July.

The OECD Secretariat administratively and professionally supports the activities of the highest decision-making body, the Council, and various committees. It is operated by the Secretary-General, four Deputy Secretaries-General, and directors and division chiefs. It consists of the General Secretariat, which assists the Council and its directly affiliated bodies such as the Executive Council Secretariat, Legal Directorate, Publishing and Communications Directorate, Evaluation and Audit Directorate, and Executive Directorate; 11 support directorates that assist sectoral committees; and 2 centers. As of 2021, about 3,900 staff members work there.

The Directorate of Employment, Labour and Social Affairs is included among the 11 support directorates along with the Economics Department, Financial and Enterprise Affairs Department, Trade and Agriculture Department, Science, Technology and Innovation Department, Education and Skills Department, Public Governance and Territorial Development Department, Development Cooperation Department, Environment Directorate, and Statistics Directorate. The two centers are the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, and the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration.

According to a report by Asia Economy on the 27th, Stefano Scarpetta, Director of the OECD Directorate of Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, advised during a meeting with An Il-hwan, OECD Ambassador to Korea, that in order for Korean society to respond to demographic and industrial changes, it is necessary to practice "spreading the perception that parental leave does not conflict with commitment to the company" and "overcoming social prejudice related to vocational training education."