Assemblyman Minsu Kim Urges Chungnam Public Institutions to End "Trick Contracts to Avoid Severance Pay"

In a Five-Minute Assembly Speech:
"Contracts Designed to Avoid the Two-Year Threshold Are Widespread...
Expedient Practices Undermine the Law’s Intent and Erode Public Trust"

Minsu Kim, Chungnam Provincial Assembly Member

Minsu Kim, a proportional representative of the Chungnam Provincial Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the "abuse of fixed-term worker contract renewals" at public institutions under Chungnam Province on November 5.

Assemblyman Kim stated, "So-called 'trick contracts' designed to avoid severance pay and conversion to permanent positions are widespread throughout public institutions," and urged, "Chungnam should take the lead in improving employment stability systems."

During a five-minute speech at the first plenary session of the 362nd regular meeting held that day, Assemblyman Kim pointed out, "There was a case in Yangsan City where contracts for sanitation workers were set for one day less than a year to avoid paying severance pay, and the situation in Chungnam is no different." He added, "Contracts deliberately set to avoid the two-year threshold are prevalent throughout public institutions, disregarding the intent of the law."

He further criticized, "Chungnam Development Corporation renewed contracts with the same worker 12 times for 12 months each, and Chungnam Social Service Institute renewed contracts with kitchen staff 11 times for 10 months each. Chungnam Economic Promotion Agency also divides contracts for the same work into periods of less than one year every year. These practices inevitably raise suspicions that they are intended to avoid paying severance or converting to permanent positions."

Assemblyman Kim pointed out, "Such practices cause job insecurity, disruption of skill continuity, and economic disadvantages for workers, while also leading to reduced work continuity, budget waste, and decreased organizational morale for the institutions." He emphasized, "This is an obvious expedient and illegal practice that cannot be justified by budget constraints."

He also proposed two improvement measures to ensure employment stability for fixed-term workers at public institutions.

He stressed, "The practice of repeatedly signing contracts for less than two years to avoid conversion to permanent positions must be eradicated." He called for "stipulating the 'principle of prohibiting contracts designed to avoid the two-year threshold' in personnel regulations and clearly defining the scope of temporary work."

Additionally, he said, "When the same work is performed repeatedly and a reasonable expectation of continued employment is established, institutional measures are needed to ensure eligibility for severance pay." He added, "Employment stability indicators should be reflected in institutional evaluations, and incentives or disadvantages should be provided according to the conversion or renewal rates of fixed-term workers."

Assemblyman Kim emphasized, "The best way for public institutions to maintain the trust of residents is to abide by the law and principles," and called for Chungnam to take the initiative in implementing substantial institutional improvements for the employment stability of fixed-term workers.