Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, announced labor-related pledges in celebration of Labor Day. The labor pledges include a commitment to reintroduce the 'yellow envelope law (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act)' to strengthen the bargaining rights of labor unions. The yellow envelope law was previously discarded twice due to the exercise of the veto power by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.
The candidate stated on Facebook on the 1st, “I will more actively guarantee labor rights,” adding, “We will amend Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act to strengthen bargaining rights, and reduce the pain caused by indiscriminate damage claims and provisional seizures.”
As part of labor-related pledges, the candidate proposed ▲improving legislation to protect the rights of special employment workers and self-employed individuals ▲improving regulations to prohibit discrimination in platform intermediaries' commission rates ▲promoting the extension of the retirement age ▲renaming 'Labor Day' to 'Labor Day' ▲pushing for the yellow envelope law ▲establishing a labor court ▲implementing the youth employment saving program (youth future savings) ▲expanding the sickness benefit program.
The yellow envelope law aims to strengthen the responsibilities of primary contractors towards subcontracted workers and limit corporations' damage claims against striking workers. It also includes provisions to broaden the scope of union's collective actions and strengthen bargaining rights.
The candidate stated, “I will grant special judicial police authority related to labor to local public officials and significantly increase the insufficient number of labor inspectors to rapidly ensure rights are redressed in everyday life, establishing a labor rights protection system,” adding, “We will promote the establishment of a labor court to ensure that rights are redressed promptly and labor disputes are resolved fairly.”
The candidate emphasized once again the extension of the legal retirement age that the Democratic Party has been promoting. Currently, the Democratic Party is discussing plans to increase the legal retirement age from the current 60 years to 65 years by establishing a task force within the party. Related legislative measures are expected to be prepared around September this year.
The candidate noted, “The gap between the legal retirement age and the receipt of national pensions is a survival cliff. In response to low birth rates and an aging society, we need to create a society where people can continue to work,” adding, “We must improve the reality where retirees are pushed into poverty due to unprepared retirements.”
He also emphasized, “I will rename 'Labor Day' to 'Labor Day' to establish the value of respecting labor,” stating, “For young people to dream, middle-aged individuals to take on challenges, and the elderly to live with dignity, workers must be respected.”
On this day for Labor Day, the candidate held a policy agreement ceremony with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.