The Tripartite Commission Discusses Formation of 'Platform and Freelancer Council'

Listening to Field Opinions Through a Meeting with Workers

The Economic, Social and Labor Council jointly held a 'Policy Meeting for Platform and Freelancer Workers' with the Korea Platform Freelancer Labor Mutual Aid Association on the 16th at the Council's main conference room. This meeting was held as a follow-up to the tripartite representatives meeting held on the 4th. Its purpose was to hear the opinions of workers regarding the formation of a platform and freelancer council.

The progress of the tripartite representatives meeting held on the 4th at the Large Conference Room of the Economic, Social and Labor Council in Jongno-gu, Seoul /
[Photo by Economic, Social and Labor Council]

Previously, at the tripartite representatives meeting, the agreements from the Platform Industry Committee and others, which operated from June 2021 to June 2022, were reviewed and organized. There was also a consensus on the need to form a separate council for further agenda discussions.

Kim Dong-man, Chairman of the Korea Platform Freelancer Mutual Aid Association, said in this regard, "The policy effects reflecting the results of the past social agreement were relatively weak for the parties involved to feel," adding, "For practical changes and improvements, institutional and policy preparations must be based on the participation of the parties involved and a pragmatic social dialogue."

Park Hyun-ho, Policy Committee member of the Korea Platform Freelancer Mutual Aid Association, presented related agenda items from worker organizations regarding the formation of the 'Platform and Freelancer Council,' including ▲eliminating blind spots in social insurance ▲negotiating labor provision conditions ▲guaranteeing parental leave. Song Myung-jin, Secretary General of the Korea Platform Freelancer Mutual Aid Association, discussed the necessity and direction of social dialogue on platform and freelancer labor within the Economic, Social and Labor Council.

Choi Young-mi, Chairperson of the Housework Union, stated, "Efforts must be made to review the tasks recommended by the Platform Industry Committee and to discover additional agenda items." Sung In-gyu, President of the Korea Creative Story Writers Association, and Jung Ah-young, representative of the Craftsman Community, added, "Along with forming the council, it is necessary to establish related industry subcommittees."

Kwon Ki-seop, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, said, "Platform and freelancer workers should be fairly compensated for the work they do and properly receive the rights guaranteed by law," adding, "We will do our best in related discussions to create a transparent and fair ecosystem in the platform and freelancer industry."