To address workplace issues such as the exploitation of part-time workers and the harmful culture of 'burnout' among nurses, community-led labor education will be implemented.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Employment and Labor Education Institute announced on August 25 that they will establish 'local labor education councils' in collaboration with regional governments. The government plans to pilot nine councils this year in Jeonnam Gwangju, Chungnam, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Jeju, Gyeongnam, Busan, and Sejong, with a nationwide expansion set for next year.
This initiative is part of the government's national agenda to promote 'lifetime labor education and a culture of respect for labor.' The goal is to systematically provide labor education tailored to local labor environments and educational needs, which had previously been conducted separately by central government and individual organizations.
The councils will operate in conjunction with existing local labor-management-civil society councils. Participants will include local governments, labor offices, education authorities, labor groups, business representatives, academia, labor rights centers, and civic organizations related to women, youth, and immigrants. Each council will consist of 8 to 15 members.
Participating organizations will set local labor education goals and initiatives, conduct surveys on the state of labor education, identify educational needs, connect local educational resources such as instructors and budgets, and discuss policy proposals and ways to disseminate best practices.
Additionally, the Ministry of Labor and the Korea Employment and Labor Education Institute will support the development of customized educational content and the training of professional instructors, as well as the operation of educational programs. They will also provide follow-up support to help disseminate successful educational cases identified in local areas to other regions.
The first council, the 'Lifetime Labor Education Subcommittee' under the Jeonnam Gwangju Labor-Management-Civil Society Council, will be launched today. Jeonnam Gwangju will begin the initiative on September 10 using its existing labor subcommittee, with other regions expected to activate their councils sequentially in September and October.
The government currently supports workers aged 15 to 34 who have suffered from wage theft through the 'Youth Labor Rights Center,' providing access to consultations with certified labor attorneys and representation in grievance cases. This council aims to establish a preventive system at the local level that educates workers about labor laws and rights, in addition to providing post-incident support.
Vice Minister of Labor Kwon Chang-jun stated, 'Unfair treatment of young part-time workers and harmful practices like nurse burnout still persist in workplaces. Understanding labor laws and establishing a proper perspective on labor is crucial for preventing workplace conflicts and fostering a culture of respect for labor.'
He added, 'Since labor environments vary by region, it is essential for local communities to actively identify and implement the necessary education that best addresses their specific needs. We will provide strong support to develop and implement labor education models that are created and practiced locally.'
Lee Jong-seon, head of the Korea Employment and Labor Education Institute, said, 'We will connect previously scattered labor education into local councils to establish a labor education system that is closely aligned with the field and tailored to different life stages. We will work closely with relevant organizations to build a local labor education network and ensure that labor education is effectively revitalized in the community.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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