The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 30th that it will conduct planned supervision of terrestrial broadcasters and comprehensive programming channels by the end of this year. It aims to look into blind spots where freelancers, like the late Oh Yoanna, are not recognized as workers under the Labor Standards Act, and to investigate the reality of workplace bullying and sexual harassment.
The targets for the planned supervision are terrestrial broadcasters (KBS, SBS) and comprehensive programming channels (Channel A, JTBC, TV Chosun, MBN). MBC, which was subject to special labor supervision from February to May this year, is excluded from this supervision. The Ministry stated, "We plan to focus on judging freelancer worker status and examining the organizational culture related to workplace bullying and sexual harassment."
Starting today, the government plans to comprehensively assess the personnel management practices and organizational culture of KBS and SBS. For comprehensive programming channels, it will encourage voluntary improvement during the period of supervision of terrestrial broadcasters, and will begin supervision immediately after the terrestrial supervision ends.
The Ministry plans to fundamentally improve the labor conditions and personnel management practices in the broadcasting industry through this planned supervision. After the supervision ends, it intends to disseminate the results of this supervision to regional broadcasters and other nationwide broadcasters and subcontractors to enhance labor rights in the broadcasting industry.
Minister Kim Young-hoon noted, "The industrial environment surrounding the broadcasting industry is rapidly changing due to the growth of the online video service (OTT) industry, but the labor conditions of those working within it remain stagnant. I will ensure that this planned supervision leads to significant changes in the deeply rooted problems of personnel management practices in the broadcasting industry and transforms the organizational culture completely."