Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, visited the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) on the 19th to seek consensus on policy agendas. He expressed a position of 'principled support' regarding the FKTU's demands, including the expansion of the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees.
The People Power Party's Environment and Labor Committee introduced that during the meeting between Leader Han and the FKTU, they received and discussed the FKTU's major legislative demands.
At this meeting, the FKTU proposed legislative demands including ▲full application of the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees ▲a just industrial transition centered on labor in response to climate change ▲enactment of the Basic Act on Working People ▲extension of retirement age, among others.
In response, the People Power Party conveyed a position of principled support and agreed to proceed with a public discussion process through close communication in the future.
Regarding the full application of the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees, the scope and timing require social dialogue, so it was agreed to support rational discussions within the Economic, Social and Labor Council, in which the FKTU also participates.
Concerning the Basic Act on Working People, the ruling party explained that it would actively accept necessary provisions for the protection of vulnerable workers in the Labor Protection Act for Vulnerable Workers that the ruling party is promoting.
Regarding employment stability for workers at coal-fired power plants being phased out due to climate change response, the ruling party’s Labor Transition Special Committee will prepare related legislation and make efforts. Additionally, on the highly socially sensitive issue of statutory retirement age extension, the party expressed that promotion is necessary based on pension reform discussions and social agreements within the Economic, Social and Labor Council.
At a meeting with reporters that day, Leader Han said, "There is a strong impression that the People Power Party neglects or avoids labor issues, but that is not actually the case. We will select topics where we can find common ground and consensus, discuss them, and engage in dialogue with the FKTU to find practical ways to improve the welfare and safety of working people."
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