KCTU Demands Resignation of All Public Interest Members for Ignoring Workers' Lives

Statement Issued After Walking Out of Minimum Wage Commission Plenary Session

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) issued a statement on July 10 after walking out of the plenary session of the Minimum Wage Commission, demanding the immediate resignation of all public interest members who, according to the KCTU, have turned a blind eye to the lives of workers.

The KCTU released this statement after refusing to participate in the deliberation on next year's minimum wage and leaving the 12th plenary session of the Minimum Wage Commission, which was held at the Government Sejong Complex that afternoon.

Among the worker members of the Minimum Wage Commission, Lee Miseon, vice chairperson of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (second from left), along with other members affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, are refusing to deliberate and leaving during the 12th plenary session of the Minimum Wage Commission held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News

The KCTU explained the reason for its walkout, stating, "The 'deliberation facilitation range' proposed by the public interest members is a deceptive plan that disregards the lives of workers and only reflects the employers' demands." The KCTU further criticized, "This is no longer a deliberation, but merely a procedure to impose low wages."

The KCTU also stated, "While the cost of living in 2024 has risen by 7.5%, the public interest members have packaged a mere 2-3% increase as a 'reasonable compromise.' Public interest members who attempt to bargain away workers' right to survival through a numbers game, without any understanding of actual prices or reality, are no longer qualified to speak for the 'public interest.'"

The KCTU further criticized, "The Lee Jaemyung administration is also not free from responsibility," adding, "The fact that public interest members submitted a proposal that ignores the reality faced by workers means that the government itself has refused to take full responsibility for workers' right to survival."

The KCTU declared, "Through the general strike and all-out struggle scheduled for July 16 and 19, we will restore justice to the broken minimum wage system and resolutely block the government and capital from evading responsibility," adding, "We will take the lead in the struggle to protect the survival of workers."