Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon Calls for Improvement of 'Free Labor' Practices

Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon announced on June 4 that the government will work to eradicate practices of 'free labor' that exploit the comprehensive wage system.

During a meeting with employees at the Gasan Digital Complex in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, Kim stated, "It is a clear violation of the law to deny fair compensation based solely on the existence of a comprehensive wage contract, regardless of actual working hours."

He emphasized, "The labor environment that induces free labor by taking advantage of young people's enthusiasm under the pretext of past practices must be improved. We must establish the most basic principle of being compensated for the work done."

The meeting was organized to gather feedback on issues faced by workers following the implementation of the 'Guidelines for Preventing Abuse of Comprehensive Wage Systems' in April.

In addition to concerns about the comprehensive wage system, employees raised issues related to the use of annual paid leave and after-hours work communications, highlighting their right to disconnect.

Kim urged, "If employees feel pressured to take annual leave or are anxious about work communications after hours, then even the best policies are meaningless. I encourage you to actively share your voices from the field."

The Ministry of Labor plans to incorporate the feedback gathered during the meeting into future labor inspections and policy development.

To specifically address the eradication of comprehensive wage abuse, the ministry will actively promote an anonymous reporting center using mobile promotional buses and anonymous employee communities. It will also implement strict inspections of businesses where reports have been received.

Additionally, the ministry plans to support the swift processing of amendments to the Labor Standards Act currently pending in the National Assembly.

Furthermore, the ministry will strengthen the establishment of labor time recording and management systems in workplaces, taking strict action and providing guidance on any violations identified during the ongoing planned inspections of basic labor order that began in February.