Labor and Civil Society Launch 'Minimum Wage Action Headquarters'... "Minimum Wage Must Be Realistic"

The "Minimum Wage Movement Headquarters for All," prepared by the two major labor unions and civic groups to improve the minimum wage, has been launched.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU), and People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy held a "Press Conference for the Launch of the Minimum Wage Movement Headquarters for All" on the 20th at the Areumdri Hall of People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, claiming that the survival rights of low-wage workers are threatened due to the decline in real wages and demanding the realization of the minimum wage.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

They stated, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration and the business sector talk about applying differentiated minimum wages by industry under the pretense of protecting vulnerable workers," and pointed out, "The government's role is not to discriminate against citizens by applying differentiated minimum wages, but to expand the rights to minimum wage to citizens who are outside the minimum wage system." They added, "We will engage in the struggle to create a minimum wage for all who live and work in this society," explaining the background of the launch.

They also expressed their intention to continue social movements to support the livelihood safety of low-wage workers as well as to expand the application of minimum wage to special employment and platform workers who are treated as 'ghost workers.'

Meanwhile, the Minimum Wage Movement Headquarters launched on this day plans to hold a large-scale press conference to abolish minimum wage discrimination in front of the National Assembly main building on June 3, and to host a grand debate on minimum wage increases.