President Lee Jae-myung criticized the current fixed-term employment law, which requires employers to convert non-regular workers to permanent status after two years, saying it has effectively become "a law prohibiting employment beyond two years" and called for "realistic alternatives."
At a meeting with leaders of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held at Cheongwadae on the 10th, President Lee said, "A law intended to protect workers has effectively become one that forces abandonment of workers."
He continued, "The provision requiring permanent contracts after two years sounds reasonable on paper, but in reality, employers cut employment at exactly one year and 11 months and never extend contracts beyond two years. We need to consider how to solve this problem practically."
President Lee emphasized the need to revitalize social dialogue. "We need regular and official dialogue," he said, urging the KCTU to participate in the Economic, Social and Labor Council.
"I understand the KCTU left social dialogue bodies long ago after feeling used and sidelined," President Lee said. "I also fully understand the instinctive resistance to pragmatic policies stemming from trauma of labor suppression."
He added, "Trust is important. Please actively consider participating." He also noted, "You seem to participate in National Assembly dialogue bodies. You might think the president will leave soon and the government's nature won't change, but the same applies to the...
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