Labor, Youth, and Non-Regular Workers Discuss 'Social Contract for the AI Era'

To address changes in employment due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), as well as the restructuring of social safety nets and methods of profit distribution, labor representatives, business leaders, youth and non-regular worker organizations, and experts are convening. The outcomes of these discussions will be compiled into a 'green paper' that will serve as a starting point for future social dialogue.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced the launch of the 'Discussion Group for a New Social Contract in the AI Era' on the morning of September 9 at the Koreana Hotel in Seoul.

This discussion group aims to explore new issues arising from the AI transformation, including changes in jobs and labor forms, social safety nets, industrial competitiveness, and profit distribution, while identifying key questions that society must collectively address.

Participating organizations include the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, the Korea Employers Federation, and the Korea Economic Association. Organizations representing youth, non-regular, and unorganized workers, such as the Youth Union and the Korean Non-Regular Workers' Association Network, are also involved.

Experts from various fields, including economics, business, political science, sociology, and labor law, will contribute to the discussions, with Professor Kang Sung-jin of Korea University, who is also the president of the Korean Economic Association, serving as the chair.

Over the next three months, the group will discuss topics such as changes in youth employment due to AI and technological advancements, representation of new labor forms, the role of government in social safety nets, industrial competitiveness and polarization, and new models for social dialogue and profit sharing.

Rather than providing specific answers or conclusions, the discussions will systematically outline key questions that require further social dialogue. The Ministry plans to use this green paper as a basis for ongoing discussions and public discourse regarding a new social contract for the AI era.

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon emphasized, "The existing framework from the industrial era cannot fully capture the new age, and a new social contract suitable for the AI era is necessary."

He highlighted the need to support stable job transitions during the changes brought about by AI, protect the rights of platform, special employment, and freelance workers, and design social safety nets that respond to changes in employment forms as key tasks.

Kim added, "The competitiveness of the AI era should not be limited to the productivity and profit increases of a few large companies. The benefits must enhance the innovation capabilities of workers, partner companies, and the entire industrial ecosystem, creating a structure where fair distribution leads to successful reinvestment."

He also noted, "The government cannot establish a new order alone. We must find answers together with labor and management, as well as voices from youth, non-regular workers, and platform and freelance workers, who have not been adequately represented in social dialogue."