Saerogochim, the “MZ union” wooed by the government, supports the “yellow envelope bill” claiming it “meets international standards”

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon meets with the executives of the Saerogochim Labor Council at the Starbucks Kyungdong 1960 store located inside the Gyeongdong Market in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul on May 1. Yonhap News

The Saerogochim Labor Council, composed of trade unions of office workers in large businesses and public enterprises, declared its support for the “yellow envelope bill” (amendment of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act). The government referred to Saerogochim (meaning “refresh” in Korean) as an “MZ union” and tried to establish the council as a policy partner. But the labor council of young workers announced views that opposed the government’s position. Saerogochim also opposed the government’s attempt to revise regulations on working hours, which would have allowed up to 69 hours of work a week.

On the morning of July 24, Saerogochim released a statement on the “yellow envelope bill” announcing its support. In the statement, the council said, “The expansion of the scope of labor disputes and employers in the ‘yellow envelope bill’ meets the international social and labor standards, such as the ILO conventions and the legislation of major advanced countries.”

As for the article stating differences in the extent of responsibility for compensation according to the person liable for compensation, Saerogochim said, “Since it pursues the principle of one’s own responsibility, which is a grand principle of civil law, it is reasonable according to the foundation of our legal system and the notions of justice and equity.”

However, the labor council also mentioned a minority view that the article “failed to understand the mode and characteristics of direct action, such as an illegal strike, and could actually limit employers from filing a lawsuit for compensation.”

The government described Saerogochim as an “MZ union” and continued to engage with the council, which it selected as a potential partner for policy discussions on labor market reforms. The government tried to guarantee the legitimacy of its policies by listening to the opinions of the young labor council instead of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, which opposed government policies.

But Saerogochim expressed discomfort at the government labeling them as a union representing the Generation MZ. In an inaugural ceremony in February, the labor council said, “We have never referred to ourselves as an MZ union, and the union representatives and members are not all Generation MZ, either.” They argued, “We cannot say that we represent the Generation MZ.”

In March Saerogochim also opposed the government’s attempt to change working hour regulations, which would have enabled a 69-hour workweek and said, “There are elements that are regressive and that go against historical development and the continuous efforts of the international community to raise the minimum standard for the working conditions of laborers.”