Meeting Held for Broadcast Writers and Sign Language Interpreters
"Improving Labor Rights for Freelancers"
Pledge for Phased Budget and Institutional Reforms
Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Wonshik has pledged to improve the employment conditions of freelance broadcast writers and sign language interpreters at the National Assembly, who have faced unstable working environments.
On the 13th, at the National Assembly Reception Room during the "National Assembly Freelancers (Broadcast Writers, Sign Language Interpreters) Employment Improvement Meeting," Speaker Woo stated, "This meeting was organized to address the issue of freelancers being excluded from labor rights despite working in such roles." He added, "Last winter's court ruling that recognized National Assembly broadcast writers as workers was a 'harsh assessment' that the National Assembly has been utilizing precarious labor under the name of freelancing. It was also a 'clear warning' that illegal practices can no longer be justified under the guise of tradition." He further acknowledged, "The sudden replacement of all sign language interpreters at the National Assembly's Communication Center in February this year was a mistake resulting from the National Assembly's neglect of its responsibilities as an employer."
Woo Wonshik, Speaker of the National Assembly (right), is shaking hands with participants at the National Assembly freelance workers (broadcast writers, sign language interpreters) employment improvement meeting on the 13th. Provided by the National Assembly Secretariat.
Speaker Woo emphasized, "The National Assembly, which enacts laws to protect the labor rights of the people, must correct the reality that it has neglected precarious labor within its own organization and evaded its legal responsibilities."
At this meeting, Kim Jongjin, Director of the Institute for Working Citizens, proposed direct employment as a solution for broadcast writers and sign language interpreters. Participants highlighted the importance of budget and institutional improvements, phased employment enhancement measures, and the need to gather input from those affected during the transition process.
Speaker Woo concluded, "Through this meeting, we will seek ways for the National Assembly to become a model employer," adding, "We will begin by recognizing the expertise of broadcast writers and sign language interpreters and by establishing standards for a stable working environment."
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