#. A complainant, who had been struggling to find a new job due to an occupational disease, faced the possibility of giving up on vocational training after being unable to obtain a National Tomorrow Learning Card because of age restrictions and a computer error. After over 100 days of seeking solutions through the customer service center and online, the assistance of a labor center employee provided a new opportunity for learning.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on August 31 that it has awarded five employees nominated by the public for their outstanding service and five best employees recognized by their colleagues, along with four exemplary public and civil service proposers. Four agencies were also selected for their excellent public service response.
Park Bae-joo, a civil servant recognized as a 'Public Recommended Outstanding Employee,' contacted the relevant labor center after hearing about the difficulties faced by a complainant in obtaining the National Tomorrow Learning Card and helped find a solution. Beyond just issuing the card, he also supported the complainant in accessing additional training.
The complainant expressed gratitude on the Ministry's website, stating, "I felt like the door to learning had closed, but the person in charge understood my discomfort and actively helped me. Their sincere kindness became a new beginning and hope for learning."
A labor inspector who gained the trust of a complainant during the handling of a workplace harassment case was also recognized as an outstanding employee. After the case concluded, the complainant left a message on the Ministry's website, saying, "Thanks to the inspector's sincere empathy and responsible response, I found the courage to overcome workplace harassment and return to my daily life."
The Ministry plans to promote empathetic labor administration by rewarding public-recommended outstanding employees, best employees chosen by colleagues, and exemplary proposers. The Ministry handles over 25 million complaints annually, with most employees involved in tasks such as unemployment benefit payments and wage arrears investigations.
To address recurring complaints more objectively, the Ministry is pursuing institutional improvements. The existing complaint mediation committee will be restructured into a 'Complaint Communication Mediation Committee,' with external members, including labor experts, making up the majority. If necessary, an external expert may serve as the chairperson, and each local office will hold the committee at least once a quarter to review repeated and complex complaints.
The Ministry will also strengthen its response to malicious complaints that hinder legitimate work, such as verbal abuse and physical assault. Starting next month, it will implement a 'Directive on Employee Protection and Support,' becoming the first central government agency to do so. The Ministry plans to respond strictly to illegal and unjust complaints at the organizational level and expand protection and support for affected employees.
Kwon Chang-jun, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, stated, "Many citizens who visit the Ministry are in desperate situations related to their livelihoods and jobs, and some issues are directly linked to the lives and safety of workers. We will ensure that employee protection leads to good administration for the public, enhancing labor rights protection on the ground and increasing public trust."
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on August 31 that it has awarded five employees nominated by the public for their outstanding service and five best employees recognized by their colleagues, along with four exemplary public and civil service proposers. Four agencies were also selected for their excellent public service response.
Park Bae-joo, a civil servant recognized as a 'Public Recommended Outstanding Employee,' contacted the relevant labor center after hearing about the difficulties faced by a complainant in obtaining the National Tomorrow Learning Card and helped find a solution. Beyond just issuing the card, he also supported the complainant in accessing additional training.
The complainant expressed gratitude on the Ministry's website, stating, "I felt like the door to learning had closed, but the person in charge understood my discomfort and actively helped me. Their sincere kindness became a new beginning and hope for learning."
A labor inspector who gained the trust of a complainant during the handling of a workplace harassment case was also recognized as an outstanding employee. After the case concluded, the complainant left a message on the Ministry's website, saying, "Thanks to the inspector's sincere empathy and responsible response, I found the courage to overcome workplace harassment and return to my daily life."
The Ministry plans to promote empathetic labor administration by rewarding public-recommended outstanding employees, best employees chosen by colleagues, and exemplary proposers. The Ministry handles over 25 million complaints annually, with most employees involved in tasks such as unemployment benefit payments and wage arrears investigations.
To address recurring complaints more objectively, the Ministry is pursuing institutional improvements. The existing complaint mediation committee will be restructured into a 'Complaint Communication Mediation Committee,' with external members, including labor experts, making up the majority. If necessary, an external expert may serve as the chairperson, and each local office will hold the committee at least once a quarter to review repeated and complex complaints.
The Ministry will also strengthen its response to malicious complaints that hinder legitimate work, such as verbal abuse and physical assault. Starting next month, it will implement a 'Directive on Employee Protection and Support,' becoming the first central government agency to do so. The Ministry plans to respond strictly to illegal and unjust complaints at the organizational level and expand protection and support for affected employees.
Kwon Chang-jun, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, stated, "Many citizens who visit the Ministry are in desperate situations related to their livelihoods and jobs, and some issues are directly linked to the lives and safety of workers. We will ensure that employee protection leads to good administration for the public, enhancing labor rights protection on the ground and increasing public trust."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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