On the 21st, Lee to FKTU: "Let's join forces together"
Regarding the 'ruling and opposition disagreement' on the Semiconductor Act: "Don't misunderstand"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said there is no need to worry about the recent controversy over the 'Democratic Party's rightward shift' raised by the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (hereinafter, FKTU). While focusing on the keyword 'growth' to secure a centrist base, it is interpreted as an intention not to lose the existing core support base of the labor sector.
On the 21st, at the FKTU meeting room in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee met with the FKTU and said, "I want to make it clear that you don't need to worry about the talk of a 'growth-centered rightward shift'." He added, "We must not allow people to die from long working hours, and we need to fix the fact that we are the country with the highest rate of extreme choices (suicides). Let's work together with the workers on the ground and the Democratic Party."
Lee said, "People criticize the rightward shift, but focusing on economic growth is something that previous administrations have done," adding, "We still do not forget the goals of expanding welfare and a just society, but growth cannot be ignored as part of the process to achieve these goals."
He also said, "Even from the opposition's standpoint, since our economy has deteriorated, they cannot help but be interested in growth." He continued, "When we say centrist conservative, some say we have abandoned all progressive policies. Depending on the situation and conditions, we place more emphasis on one side or the other; it is not a concept that disappears."
Regarding the Semiconductor Special Act, which recently failed to pass the standing committee subcommittee due to differences between ruling and opposition parties over the '52-hour workweek exception clause,' Lee expressed his stance. He explained, "The existing (exceptional work) system requires approval procedures but is favorable to employers. Employers also requested, 'We don't need the 52-hour workweek, but please allow the Ministry of Labor to easily approve the existing flexible work system.'"
Lee added, "This is something the Ministry of Labor can handle flexibly, so the acting official asked for agreement to change the notification, and we told them to do it within their authority."
He continued, "It is unacceptable not to pay compensation for increased working hours and labor intensity," but also asked, "However, if it is necessary and the worker voluntarily agrees, is there a need to prohibit it by law?" He said, "Distorting the issue as if there is a difference when there is practically none is a kind of provocation," and added, "Common sense should not be unfair, and I hope there will be no misunderstandings."
On the same day, the FKTU proposed five items to the Democratic Party: ▲ extension of the statutory retirement age ▲ re-promotion of the Yellow Envelope Act (Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act) ▲ full application of the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees ▲ abolition of the 52-hour workweek exception clause in the Semiconductor Special Act and reduction of actual working hours ▲ pension reform reflecting the results of public deliberation.
After the meeting, Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters, "Regarding the extension of the retirement age, the party launched a task force (TF) on retirement age extension through a resolution at today's Supreme Council meeting," adding, "We plan to allow participation from both labor and management sectors." The Democratic Party promised to actively review the proposed items at the party level, including the promotion of the Yellow Envelope Act as party policy.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
