Korean Reform Legislation On Contract Labour

Legislation in South Korea to revise how contract and agency labour is regulated became deadlocked in the country’s National Assembly. The country’s two national labour centers–FCTU and FKTU–have joined hands and said passage in the bill’s existing form would ensure a general strike across Korea.

Employers are seeking a top pay rate of 70% coupled with the use of contract and non-regular labour on an unlimited basis. The union federations, whose top two leaders 22 April announced they would start a hunger strike over the issue, back a recommendation from the National Human Rights Commission of Korea which states the bill must provide part-time workers with full labour pay rates, and contain guarantees of full rights and safeguards against discrimination.