The government said on the 26th that it has prepared interpretive guidelines to reduce uncertainty at worksites ahead of the enforcement of the yellow envelope law, a new labor law aimed at strengthening the bargaining rights of subcontract workers (revised Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act), on Mar. 10. It also plans to set up a "hotline" with foreign-invested corporations.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources and the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) said they held a roundtable that day with the board of the foreign chambers of commerce in Korea at the Korea Electric Power Corporation's South Seoul headquarters. The meeting was arranged to hear the views of foreign corporations that have invested in Korea regarding the enforcement of the yellow envelope law, a new labor law aimed at strengthening the bargaining rights of subcontract workers.
Attending the roundtable were Minister Kim Jung-kwan of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI), Minister Kim Young-hoon of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL), and representatives of seven chambers, including the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK), the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), the French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea (BCCK), the Seoul Japan Club (SJC), and the China Chamber of Commerce in Korea (CCCK).
Minister Kim Jung-kwan said, "After the revision of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act, we prepared interpretive guidelines in consultation with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) to ease uncertainty at worksites and to establish sound labor-management relations based on dialogue and cooperation." Kim added, "Together with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL), we will strengthen labor-management communication and make every effort to support corporations, including building a hotline with foreign-invested corporations."
Minister Kim Young-hoon also said, "The revised Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act is a law that promotes dialogue between labor and management and strengthens the foundation of a sustainable industrial ecosystem in which we grow together," adding, "We are preparing for enforcement with the top priority of aligning with the law's intent while enhancing predictability on the ground."
The government said it would closely review the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act-related recommendations requested by the foreign chambers that day and reflect them in the operation of the system as much as possible.