Korea's labor reform pursues well-being of all workers: minister

Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jung-sik speaks during the 112th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Monday. Joint Press Corps

GENEVA — Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jung-sik stressed the need to protect workers in vulnerable positions from unfairness and inequality amid global demographic shifts and technological advancements at the 112th International Labour Conference (ILC), Monday.

During his speech, Lee, who is attending the event as head delegate of the Korean government, said tripartite constituents — the government, employers and laborers — should join forces and promote social dialogue to address the challenges.

The annual ILC, which kicked off on June 3 and will last until Friday, is the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) highest decision-making body, bringing together tripartite delegations from more than 180 member states.

“As articulated in the director-general’s report, titled, ‘Toward a Renewed Social Contract,’ the existing social contracts that have supported individual well-being and realized co-prosperity and solidarity are currently under pressure,” Lee said as he addressed the conference.

“I strongly align with the vision of a renewed social contract, where tripartite constituents engage in dialogue and solidarity to support workers in vulnerable positions and realize the value of co-prosperity.”

Lee said the Korean government has been striving to ensure the well-being of all working individuals through comprehensive labor reforms, aimed at transforming old awareness, practices and systems, in response to evolving socioeconomic challenges.

He noted that although Seoul has made significant progress in expanding labor rights, various institutional protections and supports are still necessary, considering the large number of non-unionized workers and diversification of employment types.

“The government plans to establish an institutional basis to provide continuous and systematic support, such as building a communication system to gather opinions from workers who have difficulty voicing their concerns collectively and expanding legal counseling and education services,” he said.

“Additionally, we are reinforcing labor inspections to eradicate illegal activities, such as delayed wage payments, which directly affect workers’ livelihoods. We are also promoting discussions on establishing a labor court for the swift resolution of rights violations.”

He introduced Seoul’s efforts to provide support for the establishment of industry-specific accident prevention systems, particularly for SMEs which are relatively more susceptible to industrial accidents, in order to prioritize the protection of workers’ rights and foster safe and healthy workplaces.

Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jung-sik speaks during the 112th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Monday. Joint Press Corps

The minister also underscored the government’s increasing investments to ensure equal access to employment opportunities for all, including working parents whose careers are challenged by child care responsibilities as well as young people who have just entered the labor market.

Expanding social safety nets to ensure fair distribution is another effort by the government to protect workers in vulnerable positions, he said, noting that the country has improved and tailored employment insurance and industrial accident insurance systems to better serve workers in new employment types, such as the self-employed and platform workers.

“Recognizing the critical importance of meaningful dialogue with workers and employers, the Korean government aims to establish a sustainable labor market for future generations through active engagement and discussion,” the minister said.

“However, we firmly reject problem-solving methods that resort to illegal means such as violence and threats, instead of fostering dialogue and compromise… Consequently, the tripartite should comply with domestic laws, denounce any illegal acts and realize the principle of freedom of association through social dialogue.”

During the conference, Korea was elected as a regular member of the U.N. agency’s governing body comprising 56 regular members and 66 deputy members.

The labor ministry said it marked the sixth time that the country has become a regular member since it joined the ILO in 1991. The regular member has a vote to make decisions on ILO policies, programs and budget as well as election of the director-general.

Minister Lee will meet with ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, Tuesday, to introduce Korea’s labor policies. The two will also sign a letter of arrangement (LOA) for Korea-ILO cooperative projects.

Under the LOA, the Korean government will invest 12.6 billion won ($9.1 million) over the next three years to implement various programs to protect workers in low-income countries.