Since the inauguration of the President Moon Jae-in government in May 2017, the nation's two umbrella labor organizations have strengthened their power and influence drastically thanks to his pro-labor policies and a sharp increase in the number of union workers.
The number of union workers of the conservative Federation of Korean Trade Unions increased to more than 1 million as of the end of last year, while that of the progressive Korean Confederation of Trade Unions exceeded 900,000.
The expansion of the two umbrella labor organizations apparently reflected the social trend of respecting workers and improving their rights. Yet, they should take more responsibility commensurate with their power and influence.
The nation still faces many difficult issues such as dwindling jobs, steep minimum wage hikes, low birthrates, rapid aging and the high youth unemployment rate that cannot be solved without cooperation of the labor world.
For instance, the rapid rise of the minimum wage over the past two years has since raised the burden of labor costs on the part of small businesses and the self-employed, resulting in a decline in employment. Given this stark reality, unionists should not hold fast to their uncompromising position against management and the government.
The two umbrella labor unions need to make some concessions so as to work out a reasonable plan for the minimum wage increases through negotiations and cooperation with the government and businesses.
They are also required to refrain from resorting to violent means such as illegal strikes, radical street demonstrations and massive rallies to attain their own interests without taking others' difficulties into account. They have to acknowledge that their members still account for only 10 percent of the nation's total workers. They should pay heed to the voices of the non-unionists.