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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Tens of Thousands Rally on First Public Labor Day in 63 Years

From Hankyoreh · (4m ago) Korean Mixed tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Tens of thousands of union members gathered in Seoul to demand labor rights, marking the first Labor Day as a public holiday in 63 years.
  • Unions called for "prime contractor" negotiations, citing the recent "Yellow Envelope Law," and expressed concerns about job security amid AI advancements.
  • While celebrating the return of "Labor Day," unions highlighted that many workers, especially contract and platform workers, still lack basic labor rights.

The Hankyoreh captures the vibrant energy of South Korea's first official Labor Day public holiday in 63 years, with massive rallies organized by the nation's two major labor federations, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU). The return of the name 'Labor Day' signifies a symbolic victory for workers, but the underlying message is one of continued struggle for fundamental labor rights.

Today, there are still workers who do not enjoy their full rights in the workplace.

— Yang Kyeongsul, KCTU PresidentHighlighting ongoing labor rights issues during the rally.

The central theme resonating through the KCTU's rally was the demand for "prime contractor" negotiations, a right strengthened by the recent "Yellow Envelope Law." This law allows subcontracted workers to negotiate with the ultimate decision-makers in their employment, not just their direct employers. However, the KCTU lamented that many prime contractors still refuse to engage, leading to a planned July strike. The tragic death of a union member, identified only as Mr. Seo, while demanding such negotiations, underscored the urgency and risks involved.

Many employers are still refusing negotiations for reasons such as 'no direct employment relationship' or 'not being the legal employer.'

— Ahn Soo-kyung, Seoul Regional Head of the Korean Health and Medical Workers' UnionExplaining the challenges in implementing prime contractor negotiations.

Meanwhile, the FKTU's gathering focused on the future of work in the age of artificial intelligence. FKTU President Kim Dong-myung voiced concerns about AI's impact on jobs, emphasizing the need for a "just transition" where labor is an active participant in shaping the changes, not merely a subject of them. This forward-looking perspective acknowledges the evolving economic landscape and the potential challenges workers will face.

AI is changing our jobs. Labor must be the subject of change, not the object. We must realize a 'just transition' where labor participates in discussions and decisions without being excluded.

— Kim Dong-myung, FKTU PresidentExpressing concerns about AI's impact on the workforce.

Despite the celebratory atmosphere of the holiday, both federations pointed out the persistent inequalities. Many precarious workers, including freelancers, platform workers, and subcontractors, still find themselves outside the protective umbrella of basic labor laws. The Hankyoreh's reporting highlights this duality: a moment of recognition for labor's historical significance coupled with a stark reminder that the fight for equitable treatment and rights is far from over. The presence of political figures from major parties at the rallies also signals the growing importance of labor issues in the upcoming local elections.

It feels like we have truly become workers now.

— Kim Young-woon, Vice Chairman of the Public Officials' UnionReflecting on the significance of Labor Day becoming a public holiday.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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