As labor and management continue talks to set next year's minimum wage, they presented their second revised proposals. Labor demanded 11,900 won, while management called for 10,360 won.
On the 30th, at the 10th plenary session of the Minimum Wage Commission held at the Government Sejong Complex, labor and management submitted their second revised proposals following the first.
Labor proposed an hourly wage of 11,900 won, up 15.3% from this year, while management offered 10,360 won, a 0.4% increase, as a compromise. The gap between the two sides narrowed from 1,680 won to 1,540 won, but with a difference still above 1,500 won, further compromise appears unavoidable.
The minimum wage is decided each year by a total of 27 members—nine representing workers, nine representing employers, and nine public-interest members. After labor and management present their initial demands, they repeatedly submit revisions to narrow the gap.
The final notice deadline is Aug. 5. The commission must submit next year's minimum wage plan to the Minister of the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) by mid-July at the latest.