Labor representatives, management, and government officials convened to discuss labor exemptions included in the proposed 'Mega Special Zone Law.' They are expected to engage in substantive discussions before the Chuseok holiday.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 21st that a pre-consultation meeting for a 'one-point social dialogue related to the Mega Special Zone Law' was held on the 18th, involving all stakeholders.
Attendees included deputy-level representatives from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, the Korea Employers Federation, and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Government representatives included deputy ministers from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, along with a standing committee member from the Economic, Social and Labor Council.
This pre-consultation followed a proposal for social dialogue made by Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon on the 15th. The ministry explained that all parties recognized the need for social dialogue and responded positively to the proposal. Participants agreed to hold a working-level meeting to initiate formal discussions.
A working-level meeting involving senior officials from labor, management, and government is expected to take place soon. With the Chuseok holiday starting on the 24th, it is likely to be held on the 22nd or 23rd. A ministry official stated, 'We are currently confirming and coordinating attendance to hold the meeting this week,' adding, 'After the working-level meeting, we will proceed with formal social dialogue.'
Future discussions are expected to focus on eliminating the 52-hour workweek limit for high-income managers and researchers, as well as applying no overtime, night, or holiday pay under the 'white-collar exemption.' Additionally, the use period for fixed-term workers may be extended from the current two years to four years with worker agreement under the 'fixed-term 2+2' proposal.
The meeting on the 18th was characterized as a pre-consultation ahead of formal discussions. A ministry official remarked, 'We can say that we have started social dialogue since the 18th,' and added, 'We will hold a working-level meeting to advance formal social dialogue.'
The scope of participation in the working-level meeting is expected to be centered on the labor and management representatives and government officials who took part in the pre-consultation. The participation of individual companies, such as Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, has not yet been discussed. The government believes it needs to hear management's opinions on this matter.
The decision on whether to make the meeting public and how to communicate the results of the discussions will also be determined in consultation with the participants. A ministry official stated, 'The operation of social dialogue and information disclosure will be decided based on the consensus of the participating entities,' and added, 'We will coordinate the progress of the working-level meeting and the discussion content with the participants.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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