Yoon "Enactment of Law to Protect Vulnerable Workers... Promotion of Establishing Labor Courts Within Term" (Comprehensive)

Companies with labor issues excluded from tax benefits
"Anti-state offenders" for wage arrears by unscrupulous employers
Polarization, a national task that must be resolved

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 14th, "We will enact the 'Act on Support and Protection for Vulnerable Workers (tentative name)' to have the state take responsibility for protecting vulnerable workers." He also emphasized that a bill to establish a Labor Court will be prepared during his term, and that the Ministry of Employment and Labor's 'Department of Support for Unorganized Workers' will be launched next month to strengthen support for vulnerable workers.

On the morning of the same day, President Yoon held the 25th People's Livelihood Discussion Forum under the theme "Thank you, a warm workplace embracing together" at the Seoul Employment Welfare Plus Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. He said, "If we ignore the realities of vulnerable workers in labor reform, it cannot be called proper reform," and added, "There is a need to comprehensively organize the support system for vulnerable workers."

This People's Livelihood Discussion Forum resumed after 49 days since the last forum held on March 26 in Cheongju, Chungbuk. President Yoon had temporarily suspended the forums ahead of the April 10 general election but resumed them on this day.

Enactment of Law for Vulnerable Workers...Support for Mutual Aid Associations

President Yoon said, "While our economy has grown and workers' lives have generally improved, there are many vulnerable workers in our society who have not properly shared in the fruits of growth," adding, "The 'Department of Support for Unorganized Workers,' which I instructed the Ministry of Employment to establish at the April 4 People's Livelihood Discussion Forum review meeting, is scheduled to launch next month. I will also closely oversee it to ensure proper communication with the field and provide real help."

The 'Act on Support and Protection for Vulnerable Workers (tentative name)' will also be enacted. President Yoon explained, "This law will support the establishment of mutual aid associations that provide economic assistance to unorganized workers when they suffer from illness, injury, or unemployment. It will also include the establishment of dispute mediation committees to promptly resolve disputes and protect vulnerable workers," adding, "Standard contracts for vulnerable workers will be prepared within the framework of this law, and legal grounds for protecting and promoting the rights of unorganized workers will also be included."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering opening remarks at the 25th "Public Discussion on Livelihoods with the People" held on the 14th at the Seoul Employment Welfare Plus Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Need to Establish Labor Court...Bill Preparation Within Term

He also expressed his determination to establish a Labor Court. President Yoon said, "Our society has reached a stage where the establishment of a Labor Court is necessary," emphasizing, "When civil damages occur due to violations of labor criminal law, a system where these can be handled on a 'one-track' basis must now be created."

He continued, "Although current law allows for simultaneous handling of criminal and civil damages, the establishment of a Labor Court that can comprehensively address issues such as unpaid wages and workers' damages is at the stage of consideration," and added, "I hope the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Justice will prepare quickly and coordinate with the judiciary so that a bill related to the establishment of a Labor Court can be submitted during my term."

Additionally, he announced plans to expand projects supporting the formation of win-win solidarity by matching prime contractors and the government to improve welfare for small subcontractors, as well as projects supporting small businesses that find it difficult to operate welfare funds alone to jointly establish welfare funds. Furthermore, efforts will be made to reduce insurance premium burdens for delivery workers exposed to traffic accident risks and to expand rest facilities for platform workers.

Exclusion of Companies with Labor Issues from Tax and Other Support

He also expressed a stance to promote policies that exclude companies with labor issues from various government benefits. President Yoon said, "The government should provide more support and benefits to fair and non-discriminatory companies," adding, "If labor issues arise, a comprehensive package policy is needed to exclude such companies from various tax supports and approvals for development plans that the government can provide."

President Yoon emphasized, "Labor market polarization leads to wage and income polarization, which expands into polarization between social classes and can bring a crisis to democracy. It is a national task that must be resolved," and added, "The government will accelerate labor reform to resolve polarization and actively ensure that vulnerable workers are not marginalized."

Yoon Calls Malicious Wage Arrears Employers 'Anti-State Criminals'

On the day, President Yoon listened to the hardships and difficulties experienced by participants in their workplaces. Participants voiced grievances about various issues they faced, including the declining garment industry, discrimination against non-regular workers, and poor working conditions in flooring construction.

A man in his 30s working in safety management at a small construction site said, "I was about to marry my girlfriend but experienced unexpected wage arrears, not receiving three months' wages and a little over a year's severance pay," adding, "Even if reported to the Labor Office and prosecuted by the prosecution, it ends with a fine. (The money) must be recovered through civil litigation."

He pointed out, "For example, if I were a habitual wage arrears employer, I could withhold 1 billion KRW in wages and pay less than 100 million KRW in fines, and the situation would be over," adding, "The worker who suffered wage arrears has to hire a lawyer and go to civil court, but often the corporation no longer exists or the actual owner is not the corporate representative, so even with a final judgment, the money cannot be recovered."

In response, President Yoon said, "I have seen many such cases during my 26 years as a prosecutor," and criticized, "When a company goes bankrupt but the owner keeps their assets separately and does not properly pay workers' wages, it is not just antisocial but should be called anti-state criminal behavior."

Regarding discrimination against non-regular workers, President Yoon said, "If discrimination between regular and non-regular workers is openly practiced within the same company, how can we say we will break the dual structure of the entire industry?" and emphasized, "The Ministry of Employment and Labor must ensure through labor supervision that non-regular workers are not discriminated against."

About 70 workers from various fields, including substitute drivers, delivery workers, and flooring and scaffolding workers, attended the forum. From the government, Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jeong-sik participated, and from the Presidential Office, Chief Secretary Jeong Jin-seok, Policy Chief Seong Tae-yoon, and Senior Secretary for Social Affairs Jang Sang-yoon were present.