As it was decided that next year's minimum wage would be raised by only 1.8% to 4.1% compared to this year's wage, the two major labor unions strongly protested, stating, "Even the Yoon Suk-yeol administration increased it by 5% in its first year."
The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) said in a statement on July 9, "The mediation range suggested by the public interest members at the 10th plenary session of the Minimum Wage Commission is at a level that seriously infringes on workers' real wages," adding, "The two major labor unions are outraged by this and strongly condemn it."
The two unions stated, "Due to the sharp rise in prices over the past three years, real wages have fallen significantly, and the livelihoods of workers and ordinary citizens are under threat," and added, "In this situation, the upper limit of 4.1% that has been proposed is far from sufficient, even if it were to become the lower limit."
At the 10th plenary session held the previous day, the public interest members of the Minimum Wage Commission suggested a mediation range for next year's minimum wage between 10,210 won and 10,440 won. The proposed upper and lower limits represent increases of 1.8% and 4.1%, respectively, compared to this year.
The two major labor unions stated, "The proposed mediation range only reflects an attempt to return to the days of the authoritarian regime that pushed through anti-labor policies, unable to break free from its shadow," and urged, "Do not ignore the despair of low-wage workers, and immediately raise the minimum wage to guarantee real wages."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
