Minister Kim Young-hoon of the Ministry of Employment and Labor visited the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (Korean Federation of Trade Unions) on the 10th and, regarding the recent series of labor circles' "chutu" ("autumn struggle," fall strike campaign), said, "We should not say that all differences between labor and management in the ordinary wage-and-collective-bargaining process are because of the yellow envelope law."
Minister Kim, meeting with Federation of Korean Trade Unions Chairperson Kim Dong-myeong and heads of industrial unions at the Federation of Korean Trade Unions in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th, said, "Some media report that the 'yellow envelope law' (the revised Trade Union Act) is fueling labor's chutu, but we should not say that all ordinary wage-and-collective-bargaining conflicts are because of the law," making this point.
He said, "The government will strengthen support so that business sites can smoothly conclude wage-and-collective-bargaining agreements," and added, "We will communicate on the ground so that the original intent of the revised Trade Union Act—win-win cooperation between principal contractors and subcontractors—can be realized and serve as a foundation for corporations and economic growth. We will prepare guidelines and manuals on employer status and the scope of labor disputes, and we also plan to establish a model for exemplary principal–subcontractor bargaining."
Minister Kim mentioned labor issues such as extending the retirement age, a 4.5-day workweek, and industrial safety, and said, "Dialogue and communication among labor, management, and the government are more necessary than ever." He said, "The president also asked the two major trade union federations to take part in the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC), a presidential advisory body, repeatedly stressing the importance of social dialogue," and added, "We hope this will serve as a chance for labor, management, and the government to meet again, build trust, and resolve pending issues."
Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung invited the chairpersons of the two major trade union federations to the Blue House for a private meeting on the 4th. At the time, the president said, "Please participate actively in the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC), a presidential body," and added, "There must be dialogue. We should at least meet first, whether to argue or not." Launched in 1998, the ESLC has been operating with only the Federation of Korean Trade Unions participating while the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has not joined the discussions, and even the Federation of Korean Trade Unions declared a suspension of participation after the "12·3 martial law" last year, leaving the body in effect in a "closed for business" state.
Minister Kim said, "We will work so that, based on regular meetings and communication among labor, management, and the government, we can solve difficult labor issues one by one."
Meanwhile, after meeting with officials of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions that day, Minister Kim will visit the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions) in Jung District, Seoul.