Ya6dang Proposes Yellow Envelope Act Allowing Unemployed to Engage in Union Activities

Strengthened Law Compared to Existing Yellow Envelope Act
Platform Workers Can Also Join Labor Unions

Six opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, have jointly reintroduced the 'Yellow Envelope Act (Amendment to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act),' which President Yoon Suk-yeol had previously vetoed, in the 22nd National Assembly. The bill is considered to be strengthened compared to the existing Yellow Envelope Act by revising related provisions to allow unemployed and platform workers to participate in union activities.

Democratic Party of Korea's Lee Yong-woo, New Justice Party's Shin Jang-sik, Progressive Party's Yoon Jong-oh, along with Yang Kyung-soo of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and Kim Dong-myung of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, are holding a joint press conference for opposition co-sponsorship of Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act at the National Assembly on the 18th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 18th, Rep. Lee Yong-woo of the Democratic Party held a 'Joint Press Conference of Six Opposition Parties on the Yellow Envelope Act' at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul. The day before, Rep. Lee, along with Rep. Shin Jang-sik of the Innovation Party for Korea and Rep. Yoon Jong-oh of the Progressive Party, jointly introduced the Yellow Envelope Act as principal sponsors. Additionally, 87 members of the National Assembly, including Rep. Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party, Rep. Han Chang-min of the Social Democratic Party, and Rep. Kim Jong-min of the New Future Party, participated as co-sponsors. Representatives from the two major labor unions, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, also attended the press conference to express support for and urge the passage of the Yellow Envelope Act. Rep. Lee stated, "The Yellow Envelope Act is a bill that has matured over nearly 30 years of arduous discussions," adding, "Given the unprecedented number of lawmakers and opposition parties jointly sponsoring it, it must be passed and implemented in the 22nd National Assembly."

The Yellow Envelope Act primarily aims to limit companies' claims for damages against workers participating in strikes and to strengthen the responsibility of primary contractors for subcontracted workers. The version of the Yellow Envelope Act introduced by Rep. Lee features the deletion of Article 2, Paragraph 4, Subparagraph (la) of the Labor Union Act. According to Article 2, Paragraph 4, Subparagraph (la), a union is not recognized if it allows membership of persons who are not workers. With this provision removed, not only the unemployed but also platform workers, who were not previously considered workers, can join and participate in unions. Rep. Lee said, "Although the Yellow Envelope Act was passed in the 21st National Assembly, the definition of 'worker' was not revised at all," emphasizing, "To address the diversification of employment forms that arise in reality, the worker clause must be amended."

President Yoon exercised his veto power over the Yellow Envelope Act in December last year. The Democratic Party and the Innovation Party for Korea, among other opposition parties, have expressed their intention to reintroduce the Yellow Envelope Act in the 22nd National Assembly and see it through to implementation. Rep. Shin said, "The People Power Party should stop its work-to-rule and immediately return to the National Assembly," adding, "President Yoon should also stop abusing his veto power. If he vetoes the Yellow Envelope Act again, the number of citizens opposing the president will accumulate like a surcharge."