The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a rally in Seoul on the 28th, urging a significant increase in the minimum wage. They demanded the passage of the Yellow Envelope Law (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act) alongside the wage increase.
Around 3 p.m. that day, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a resolution meeting near Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul, titled 'Raise the minimum wage, Secure labor rights.' About 11,000 people participated according to unofficial police estimates.
Yang Kyung-soo, Chairperson of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), emphasized in his speech, 'For the past few years, even with wars abroad, the COVID-19 pandemic raging, rising raw material prices, and increasing costs of living, workers' wages have remained stagnant,' and added, 'A significant increase in the minimum wage is the only means to recover the economy and save people's livelihoods from crisis.'
Union members held placards bearing slogans such as 'Increase the minimum wage' and 'Immediately abolish anti-labor policies,' shouting slogans like 'Raise the minimum wage and secure labor rights' and 'Apply the minimum wage and Labor Standards Act to all workers.'
They also urged the passage of the Yellow Envelope Law, which strengthens the primary company's responsibility toward subcontracted workers and limits corporations' claims for damages against striking workers. Previously, the Yellow Envelope Law had passed through the National Assembly under the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, but it was discarded due to the veto authority exercised by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.
Heo Won, Vice Chairperson of the Metal Workers' Union, criticized, 'The current labor union law, which prevents negotiations with the primary company that effectively determines working conditions, obstructs all workers' constitutional right to unionize.'
After the rally that day, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is scheduled to march toward the Yongsan Presidential Office and the Jongno-gu Presidential Committee on Policy Planning.