Kim Moon-soo: "Wage arrears not due to Gyeonggi economy... Can't blame economy for many thieves"

First Emergency Meeting of Agency Heads After Minister's Inauguration
"Full Review of Labor Standards Act for Fewer Than 5 Employees"

"Boldly abandon the notion that wage arrears are due to economic conditions. It is the same logic as not blaming the economy for an increase in thefts and robberies."

Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor, said this on the 5th at the Seoul Employment and Labor Office during the nationwide heads of agencies meeting held to eradicate wage arrears and protect the vulnerable. Having convened the agency heads meeting urgently for the first time since his appointment last week, he warned of a strong response to wage arrears, stating, "Employers who cannot even pay the most basic wages cannot be expected to hire new employees or ensure industrial safety."

Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor / Photo by Ministry of Employment and Labor

Minister Kim emphasized, "Protecting vulnerable workers must start with eradicating wage arrears." He added, "Although approximately 960 billion KRW of wage arrears were cleared this year, about 260 billion KRW remain unpaid. It is time for the 48 heads of regional offices nationwide and over 2,200 labor inspectors to devote themselves more to preventing wage arrears, clearing unpaid wages, and punishing malicious employers." He also stated, "I will receive daily reports and oversee the situation closely."

Minister Kim further requested, "Do not consider wage arrears solely as the responsibility of labor inspectors; please cooperate at the local office level." He demanded, "While performing employment and industrial safety duties, an active attitude is needed to check whether wage arrears exist at workplaces." He continued,

"Please spare no support for victims of wage arrears, including advance payments, living expense loans, and job placement assistance," adding, "The headquarters will also promote institutional improvements such as strengthening sanctions against employers who delay wages."

Regarding protection of vulnerable workers, he said, "In addition to efforts to eradicate wage arrears, we will push for the enactment of the 'Labor Vulnerable Protection Act' and strengthen government support for the vulnerable," and "The government will directly protect and support vulnerable workers suffering from wage arrears and other difficulties." He also mentioned, "We will seriously consider applying the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees, which has been stalled after long discussions."

He stated, "Protecting the vulnerable, starting with eradicating wage arrears, is the beginning of labor reform and the cornerstone of creating warm workplaces," and "We will institutionalize labor market flexibility tasks such as expanding working hour choice and flexible work, and reforming wage systems for continuous employment through tripartite social dialogue among labor, management, and government."