Minister Kim Younghoon: "Swift Investigation with Top Priority on Resolving Unpaid Wages for Foreign Workers"

Focusing All Resources on Eradicating Wage Arrears by Year-End
Communicating with Local Governments for Delegation of Labor Inspection Authority

On September 8, Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon instructed, "Make the settlement of unpaid wages for foreign workers the top priority and conduct investigations as quickly as possible to ensure that no foreign worker leaves the country without receiving their wages."

At the 'National Agency Heads Meeting' held at the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office that day, Minister Kim said, "As the proportion of unpaid wages among foreign workers has recently increased, it is necessary to take proactive measures in cooperation with relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Justice."

Kim Younghoon, Minister of Employment and Labor. Photo by Yonhap News

This meeting was convened to follow up on the implementation of the 'Measures to Eradicate Wage Arrears' announced jointly by relevant ministries on September 2. The meeting was attended by Minister Kim, Vice Minister Kwon Changjun, other officials from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the heads of 48 regional employment and labor offices nationwide.

During the meeting, Minister Kim stated, "For the remaining four months, concentrate all resources and energy on eradicating wage arrears," and added, "Agency heads should go out to the field themselves to ensure that wage arrears are eliminated."

He also said, "This year, for the first time, we are conducting inspections and supervision together with local governments. This will be an opportunity to thoroughly examine areas that have not previously received government oversight," and added, "Since the authority for labor supervision will be delegated to local governments, agency heads should communicate sufficiently with local government leaders."

Meanwhile, regarding the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act), which was approved at the Cabinet meeting on September 2, he requested, "During the six-month preparation period, thoroughly understand the situation on the ground and make proactive and sufficient preparations so that negotiations can be actively supported."