Korean labor minister calls for corporate role in improving working conditions

South Korean Employment and Labor Minister Lee Jung-sik speaks at a meeting with the vice chiefs of the country’s five business lobby groups in central Seoul on Mar. 28. [Photo by Yonhap]

South Korean Employment and Labor Minister Lee Jung-sik on Tuesday asked business groups to play a more active role in improving the country’s labor market such as rooting out illegal practices as the government struggles to get its labor reform message out to the public.

“The government is making efforts to reform the labor market,” Lee said, during a meeting with the vice chiefs of the country’s five business lobby groups in central Seoul. “Active participation of the business community is crucial for the new policies to be effectively implemented.”

The five major lobby groups are the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea Enterprises Federation, the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Federation of SMEs, and the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea.

The meeting was also attended by Professor Kwon Soon-won, who chaired the Future Labor Market Research Group that drew up a blueprint for labor reform of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.

Lee highlighted the importance of the business community’s cooperation in eradicating illegal and unfair labor practices to achieve successful labor reforms. He also noted that by reducing the rigidity of the current working hour system and eliminating free labor and other unjust practices, businesses can ultimately improve their competitiveness, leading to a “win-win” situation for both employers and employees.

In line with Lee’s directives, the labor ministry plans to conduct inspections on labor-related cases filed through their online reporting center and will take comprehensive measures to enforce regulations on excessive working hours.

Regarding the issue of low birth rates, he said that solving this problem is a critical task that could impact the future of the country, stressing his commitment to correcting wrongful practices, such as giving employees negative consequences for taking parental leaves.

The business community expressed their agreement with the government’s policy direction, acknowledging the need for gradual reductions in working hours, which are longer than the average in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. They highlighted the importance of implementing various measures to increase productivity, such as extended summer and year-end vacations, and other efforts that prioritize the well-being of workers.