South Korean labor unions condemn 'Mega Special Zone Act,' demand meeting with president

South Korea's two largest labor unions have jointly condemned the government's proposed "Mega Special Zone Act," accusing it of containing labor-weakening measures similar to those pushed by the previous administration. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) issued a joint statement on Tuesday, demanding a meeting with President Lee Jae-myung.

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The Mega Special Zone Act contains many measures that regress labor rights, such as exemptions for high-income workers from overtime pay, extended settlement periods for selective work hours, expanded dispatch-eligible industries, and extended use of fixed-term workers.

The unions cited provisions in the act that allegedly weaken labor rights, including exemptions for high-income workers from overtime pay, extended periods for flexible work arrangements, expanded categories for dispatched workers, and longer fixed-term employment. They argue these measures are characteristic of the previous Yoon Suk-yeol administration's anti-labor policies and expressed dismay at facing them again under the current government.

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We cannot hide our bewilderment and anger at facing the labor-weakening policies of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration again under the Lee Jae-myung government, which we believed had overcome internal strife and restored democracy.

Furthermore, the unions criticized the act for contradicting the government's vision of an "AI Basic Society." They stated that initiating an AI transition by restricting workers' rights through the Mega Special Zone Act is unacceptable. The unions warned that AI advancements could lead to job losses, environmental damage, climate crises, youth unemployment, and widening inequality, emphasizing the need for thorough societal deliberation and consensus.

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We cannot agree with the idea of starting the AI transition, which aims to guarantee and strengthen the basic rights of all citizens, with the enactment of the Mega Special Zone Act that restricts workers' rights.

The labor groups urged the government to halt its rapid push for the act, gather opinions from all stakeholders, including vulnerable groups, and build social consensus. They reiterated their demand for an urgent meeting with the president to begin social dialogue. The unions also warned of strong resistance and potential confrontation with the government if the act is unilaterally pursued, vowing to unite with various groups, including semiconductor workers, for a powerful struggle.

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The government must stop its speed race and strive to gather opinions from stakeholders, including the socially vulnerable, and build social consensus.