Unionizing irregular workers ripples labor sector
President Moon Jae-in stressed the need to better realize the needs of non-union workers who constitute 90 percent of the labor force, signaling a possible shift in Korea’s labor union policies.
“Please find a way to include non-union workers in the social communication process,” Moon said during a regular meeting with his chief aides at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday.
The same day, labor commission head Moon Sung-hyun called for the need to unionize the number of workers with irregular employment status.
These statements reflect the Moon administration’s drive to change the labor union structure which is currently dominated by two main labor unions, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Korean Labor Unions Confederation (KLUC) — both of which mainly represent permanent employees at big conglomerates.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, only 1.9 million people were union members in 2015, accounting for just 10.2 percent of the 19 million working Korean population.
One possibility being discussed is unionizing the workforce under a mandatory system involving all employees who are registered under national employment insurance — this includes irregular workers, those who are classified as self-employed but are de facto wage earners, and the recently unemployed.
The system, called the Chamber of Labor, would be responsible for delivering the various needs of employees in different sectors, regions, and employment types.
If implemented, it is expected to bring a major turnaround in the labor union system. The KCTU has issued a statement against it, arguing it may in fact weaken existing labor unions and instead serve to benefit the interests of the government.
The KLUC has been more open to the idea, saying it may complement the two labor unions in place.
The government has already taken steps in this direction.
Labor Minister Kim Young-joo said she will push forward to introduce the system during her nomination hearing in August; in a meeting with the labor representatives on Oct. 24, Cheong Wa Dae invited the Youth Community Union in addition to the two main unions.
This is also in line with President Moon’s income-led growth policy, which seeks to promote economic growth by reducing inequality and thereby increase consumption.