Minimum Wage to Be Applied Uniformly Across All Industries Next Year
Both labor and management have presented their initial proposals regarding the minimum wage to be applied next year.
At the 6th plenary session held at the Government Complex Sejong on June 19, labor representatives proposed 11,500 won, which is a 14.7% increase from last year, while management proposed a freeze at 10,030 won.
It has also been decided that the minimum wage for next year will be applied uniformly across all industries, without differentiation by sector.
On this day, the Minimum Wage Commission held a vote among its 27 members?representing workers, employers, and public interest groups?on whether to apply different minimum wages by industry for next year. The proposal was rejected with 15 votes against, 11 in favor, and 1 invalid vote.
Previously, business groups had argued for the introduction of differentiated minimum wages by industry, insisting that the minimum wage should be set lower for vulnerable sectors such as food service and accommodation in order to reduce wage burdens.
Labor groups strongly opposed this, stating that such differentiation would be "discriminatory and contrary to the intent and purpose of the minimum wage system."
With the issue of industry-based differentiation now settled, the Minimum Wage Commission will move on to discuss the specific level of next year's minimum wage.
The gap between the two sides' initial proposals amounts to 1,470 won.
Labor and management will begin full-scale discussions to narrow this gap starting from the 7th plenary session scheduled for June 26.
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