Ministry of Culture and Overseas Cultural Centers Branch Sign First Collective Bargaining Agreement

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on April 25 that it had signed its first collective bargaining agreement with the Overseas Korean Cultural Centers Branch of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions.

The Overseas Korean Cultural Centers Branch of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions was established in March last year to improve working conditions and benefits for administrative staff at Korean Cultural Centers in more than 30 countries around the world. Since the initial meeting between the chief negotiators in August last year, the Ministry and the branch have held nine rounds of working-level negotiations before reaching a final agreement.

[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

The agreement states that labor and management will work together, based on trust and mutual understanding, to establish a rational personnel and wage system, ensure equal employment opportunities and protection of maternity rights for both men and women, and substantially expand welfare and benefits support.

Kim Hyunjun, Director-General for International Cultural Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "We hope that this collective agreement will serve as a foundation for establishing a mutually beneficial labor-management relationship, and that, based on this, the Overseas Korean Cultural Centers will further develop as 'K-Culture overseas platforms.' The Ministry will continue its efforts to improve working conditions and strengthen the capabilities of administrative staff at the Overseas Korean Cultural Centers, so that they can take even greater pride in their work."