The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) on the 28th held a meeting with Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and delivered the "22nd core policy tasks" to resolve issues facing microbusiness owners.
The meeting was arranged to propose effective policies to improve the business environment for microbusiness owners and to help revive the livelihood economy, prompted by the June 3 local elections.
Song Chi-young, president of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME), emphasized the crisis facing microbusiness owners and urged political parties to act. Song said, "Microbusiness owners are facing a serious management crisis as high inflation and high interest rates are compounded by the aftermath of the Middle East war," adding, "This local election is a critical watershed for the survival of microbusiness owners."
The federation presented key policy tasks such as support for microbusiness owners' response to digital transformation, expansion of financial support by regional credit guarantee foundations, and expansion of on-site manager support.
The federation also called for establishing a legal foundation to strengthen the organizational power of microbusiness owners and enhance their social status. Song said, "To secure the right to organize and the right to bargain for microbusiness owners, the Fair Trade Act must be amended to remove restrictions on small business operators coming together," adding, "Political support is needed to strengthen bargaining power centered on the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME), a statutory economic organization."
They expressed concern over the issue of expanding the application of the Labor Standards Act. Song said, "If the Labor Standards Act is expanded to business sites with fewer than five employees or if a 'basic law for working people' is pursued without first resolving pending issues such as weekly holiday allowance, the burden on small establishments could increase sharply."
In response, Jung Chung-rae said the received policy tasks would be reviewed closely. Jung conveyed a position of active cooperation to devise practical support measures that microbusiness owners can feel.