Exploring Directions for the Development of Industrial Accident Insurance... Demonstrating Global Leadership
The Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service held the '60th Anniversary International Symposium on Industrial Accident Insurance' at the KBIZ Hall of the Korea Federation of SMEs on the 26th, and the Asia Workers' Compensation Association (AWCA) Board Meeting at the Courtyard Marriott Seoul Times Square Hotel.
On the 26th, the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service held the '60th Anniversary International Symposium on Industrial Accident Insurance.'
This event was organized to commemorate the 60th anniversary of industrial accident insurance, to look back on its development and achievements over the past 60 years, to seek directions for a brighter future, and to discuss joint development measures for industrial accident insurance in the Asia-Pacific region. Attendees included the German Trade and Logistics Industry Accident Insurance Association, France's EUROGIP, AWCA member countries, labor officials from foreign embassies in Korea, and domestic experts.
The international symposium featured a keynote speech by former Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jaegap. In the session on 'Response Strategies of Industrial Accident Insurance to the Advent of a Super-Aged Society,' Udo Schoepf, Chairman of the Management Board of the German Trade and Logistics Industry Accident Insurance Association, and Chung Yeontaek, Professor of Social Welfare at Chungnam National University, delivered presentations. In the session on 'Changes in the Role of Industrial Accident Insurance Due to the Diversification of Labor Forms,' Rapha?l Haeflinger, Secretary General of France's EUROGIP, and Kwon Hyuk, Professor at Pusan National University Law School, presented their views.
The keynote speech reviewed the development and achievements of Korea's industrial accident insurance and suggested future directions such as expanding protection for all workers, restructuring the system for appropriate compensation, and establishing a linkage system for early return to work.
▲ In the session on 'Response Strategies of Industrial Accident Insurance to the Advent of a Super-Aged Society,' discussions focused on the importance of a preventive approach in response to demographic changes, securing the adequacy of cash benefits and financial systems for the aging population, and establishing systems for early social and occupational reintegration through rehabilitation. Policy and institutional improvement directions for industrial accident insurance were presented.
▲ In the session on 'Changes in the Role of Industrial Accident Insurance Due to the Diversification of Labor Forms,' the need for social protection for all workers and ways to incorporate them into the industrial accident insurance system were discussed, with an emphasis on the development of industrial accident insurance as a social insurance system.
The AWCA meeting was attended by eight member organizations from seven countries, including Cambodia and Indonesia. Participants reviewed the outcomes of multilateral cooperation in the field of industrial accident insurance in the Asia-Pacific region, discussed the action plan for the next two years, and examined the activity plans of the Rehabilitation Committee and the Migrant Workers Committee.
The Rehabilitation Committee agreed to strengthen the rehabilitation service capabilities of AWCA member countries through knowledge and information exchange with the International Social Security Association (ISSA). The Migrant Workers Committee decided to refine the matrix of social security service status for migrant workers in AWCA member countries to identify gaps in social security services.
Chairman Park Jonggil stated, "As Korea's first social insurance, industrial accident insurance has served as a strong pillar protecting the safety and health of all workers for the past 60 years. Furthermore, through the Asia Workers' Compensation Association, we have shared our development experience with the Asia-Pacific region and demonstrated global leadership. Through this event, by seeking future directions for industrial accident insurance in line with changing times, we will further develop it as a reliable partner for all workers to work safely and happily, and contribute to strengthening the industrial accident insurance system as a robust social safety net in the Asia-Pacific region."
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