[Exclusive] Labor Relations Commission to Add 50 Staff for Yellow Envelope Act... "Requested 100, Approved 50"

Labor Relations Commission to Play Key Role in Yellow Envelope Act Implementation
Ministry of the Interior and Safety Approves 50 Additional Staff for Commission
Final Number to Be Confirmed After Review by Ministry of Economy and Finance
K

With the implementation of the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act) scheduled for March next year, the number of personnel at the Labor Relations Commission, which will be tasked with key responsibilities such as determining bargaining unit separation and assessing employer status, is expected to increase by 50. This represents about 20% of the total number of investigators at the Labor Relations Commission. It is anticipated that the final number will be confirmed and officially communicated next month after review by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the Central Labor Relations Commission on November 25, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has finalized the increase in personnel for the Labor Relations Commission required for the implementation of the Yellow Envelope Act at 50. Previously, the Labor Relations Commission had requested an increase of about 100 personnel from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety due to the expansion of related work, but after internal review, the Ministry reduced the number by about half and reflected this in its decision.

An official from the Ministry of Employment and Labor explained, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has approved the addition of 50 personnel, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance is currently reviewing the numbers. Once the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which holds the budget authority, completes its review, the final decision will be communicated." The official added, "Follow-up measures such as amendments to the organization or staffing regulations are necessary for the increase, and the final decision must be made within December."

The additional personnel will be assigned as investigators to the Central Labor Relations Commission and regional Local Labor Relations Commissions. Depending on the organizational structure of each commission, they will be placed in the bargaining representative determination division, the adjudication division, or the mediation division. These divisions will be responsible for handling issues related to the Yellow Envelope Act taking effect in March next year, such as the separation of bargaining units for subcontractor unions and determining employer status (whether the principal employer holds substantial control).

The number of personnel being added this time accounts for about 20% of the total 250 investigators at the Labor Relations Commission. Assuming a mechanical distribution to the Central Labor Relations Commission and 12 Local Labor Relations Commissions, this would amount to fewer than four additional investigators per commission. Nevertheless, within the Ministry of Employment and Labor, there is an assessment that "an unusually large number of personnel has been approved." Some interpret this as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety taking into account the current administration's strong commitment to implementing the Yellow Envelope Act.

Previously, on November 24, Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon announced a draft amendment to the enforcement decree related to the Yellow Envelope Act, emphasizing, "The role of the Labor Relations Commission is extremely important for the smooth operation of negotiations between principal contractors and subcontractors." He added, "To this end, the Labor Relations Commission is working to increase its personnel and is meticulously preparing for the implementation of the amended law in cooperation with the Ministry of Employment and Labor through participation in on-site support task forces and review of key issues."