[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
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With the enforcement 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 headcount of the Labor Relations Commission, which will be responsible for key tasks such as the separation of bargaining units and determination of employer status, is expected to increase by 50. This figure represents about 20% of all investigators at the Labor Relations Commission. After review by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the finalized number is expected to be announced around next month.

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 an increase of 50 staff members for the Labor Relations Commission to facilitate the implementation of the Yellow Envelope Act. Previously, the Labor Relations Commission had requested an increase of approximately 100 personnel from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety due to the expansion of related work, but the ministry, after internal review, decided to approve about half that number.

An official from the Ministry of Employment and Labor explained, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has approved 50 additional staff, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance is currently reviewing the numbers," adding, "Once the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which controls the budget, completes its review, the final notification will be issued." The official continued, "Follow-up measures such as amendments related to the organization and staffing are necessary for the increase," and emphasized, "The final decision must be made within December, without exception."

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 affiliated with the Bargaining Representative Determination Division, the Adjudication Division, or the Mediation Division. These divisions will handle issues such as the separation of bargaining units for subcontractor unions and the determination of employer status (whether the principal employer exercises substantial control), in accordance with the Yellow Envelope Act, which takes effect in March next year.

This staffing increase represents about 20% of the total 250 investigators at the Labor Relations Commission. If distributed mechanically among the Central Labor Relations Commission and the 12 Local Labor Relations Commissions, it would amount to fewer than four people per commission. Nevertheless, within the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the consensus is that "an unusually large number of personnel has been approved." Some interpret this as a reflection of the current administration's strong commitment to implementing the Yellow Envelope Act, which was also taken into account by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Previously, on November 24, Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon, in announcing the draft amendment to the enforcement decree related to the Yellow Envelope Act, stressed, "The role of the Labor Relations Commission is extremely important for the smooth operation of bargaining between principal and subcontractor unions." He added, "To this end, the Labor Relations Commission is pursuing an increase in personnel and is thoroughly 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."