"Protecting the Rights of All Working People"
Agreement with FKTU: "Eradicate Insurrection Forces"
On May 1, Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced his labor policy pledges, stating, "I will seek to extend the retirement age through social consensus."
Through a Facebook post on the same day, Lee emphasized, "The gap between the statutory retirement age and the start of National Pension benefits is a cliff for people's livelihoods," adding, "To address the challenges of a low birth rate and an aging society, we must create a society where people can continue to work."
Lee stated, "Our labor sector is facing new challenges. Low growth and major industrial transformation are increasing the risk of mass unemployment, while the number of workers outside the protection of labor laws, such as platform workers and those in special types of employment, continues to rise." He continued, "We must resolve unfinished labor issues and prepare for the major transformation of future labor. We should move toward a society where everyone who works is respected and receives fair compensation for their efforts."
He further pledged, "I will protect the rights of all working people, regardless of the form of employment or the name of their contract," and promised, "I will ensure fair compensation, a safe and healthy working environment, social security such as employment and industrial accident insurance, and the right not to suffer discrimination or harassment."
Lee also expressed his intention to push again for the so-called "Yellow Envelope Act," which aims to limit companies' claims for damages against striking workers and strengthen the responsibility of prime contractors for subcontracted workers. He also presented pledges such as the introduction of a tentatively named Youth Future Savings program, providing a one-time job-seeking allowance to young people, and introducing a cap on platform service fees.
Meanwhile, on the afternoon of May 1, Lee held a policy agreement ceremony with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. At the event, he stated, "Labor exists because there are companies, and companies exist because there are workers."
Lee stressed the importance of harmony between companies and workers, saying, "Workers must do well for companies to do well, and companies must do well for workers' lives to improve. We are not fighting to bring each other down, but striving for everyone to succeed together. Isn't everyone working to create better companies and more secure jobs?"
The agreement signed on this day stated, "The FKTU, the Democratic Party, and candidate Lee Jae-myung will inherit the spirit of the citizens' calls in the square for the eradication of the 12·3 insurrection forces and the restoration of democracy, the value of popular sovereignty, and the spirit of equality and solidarity that overcomes inequality and hatred. Together, they will pursue balanced and sustainable development and social integration in Korea, and jointly cooperate and act in all areas to realize a just social transformation led by labor."
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