The government is set to establish a "Basic Law on the Rights of Workers" to protect workers in new forms of employment, such as platform labor. The initiative aims to create a generational coexistence plan that allows for both youth entry into the labor market and continued employment for middle-aged workers, while also accelerating efforts to eliminate industrial accidents and wage theft.
During a National Assembly audit on climate, energy, environment, and labor on October 13, Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon stated, "As the industrial structure changes, the way we work must change, and the methods of protecting workers must also change. We will achieve genuine growth alongside labor."
Minister Kim identified key changes in the labor market, including the spread of artificial intelligence (AI), low birth rates, an aging population, and the increase in platform labor. He outlined four policy directions: ensuring work opportunities for all citizens, guaranteeing basic rights in the workplace, reducing labor market disparities, and ensuring that labor is not marginalized during industrial transitions.
To support young people in forming their first careers, the government will connect businesses needing AI transition (AX) with youth. For middle-aged workers, opportunities for re-employment will be expanded. Kim emphasized, "We will work with the National Assembly to develop solutions that allow for both youth entry and continued employment for middle-aged workers, and we will prepare support for businesses to implement these solutions on the ground."
Additionally, measures such as a 10 a.m. start time for working parents and short parental leave will help alleviate the burden on working parents. Revisions to the employment insurance system, including the establishment of a work-family balance account and the rationalization of unemployment benefits, will be pursued through subsequent legislation and amendments to subordinate regulations.
The government is also committed to reducing industrial accidents and eradicating wage theft. In the first half of this year, workplace fatalities decreased by 11.8% compared to the same period last year, marking the lowest level since statistics began. Minister Kim stated, "We cannot afford to lose even a single life, and we will work harder to ensure this. We will strengthen technical and financial support for small businesses and manage companies where similar accidents recur, from cause analysis to the implementation of improvement measures."
The implementation of the revised Industrial Safety and Health Act will also be promoted. Comprehensive investigations and preventive supervision will continue for workplaces with repeated wage theft, and guidance will be provided to ensure that the legal increase in penalties, effective this month, leads to actual eradication of wage theft.
Efforts to resolve the dual structure of the labor market will be accelerated. The government will actively support negotiations between primary and subcontractors following the implementation of the revised Trade Union Act and will work to improve unreasonable practices such as the fragmentation of fixed-term contracts and discrimination based on employment type.
To enable the government to play a role as a model employer, improvements will be made to the treatment of non-regular workers in the public sector and contracting practices. A public sector labor committee, launched on September 18, will facilitate social dialogue on employment and treatment issues for public sector workers.
Protection systems for new forms of employment, including platform labor, will also be strengthened. Minister Kim asserted, "Workers should not be left in a protection gap simply because the nature of work has changed. We will actively support discussions in the National Assembly to ensure the Basic Law on the Rights of Workers is enacted within this year."
A social safety net that encompasses various forms of work will be established through the K-Labor Welfare Council. Training programs to enhance AI capabilities will be supported for both youth and middle-aged workers, and AI training for employees in small and medium-sized enterprises will be strengthened.
Key labor issues, including labor exemptions in mega-special zones, will be addressed through social dialogue. Minister Kim noted, "Since September, we have been conducting focused social dialogue on labor exemptions under the Mega Special Zone Act. While we do not have predetermined outcomes, the government will act as a facilitator to ensure that results are achieved through dialogue."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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