- Direction of MOEL Labor Policy in 2018
On 18 January, the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) submitted to the Prime Minister a 2018 report evaluating 2017 that stated ‘the foundation of income-led growth’ had been established and announced its plans to push ahead such plans in 2018 including ▲ alleviating the dual structure of the labor market, ▲ creating more decent jobs, and ▲ improving quality of life in workplaces.
[MOEL Action Plans for 2018]
| Policy Agenda | Major Action Plans |
| Alleviating the dual structure of the labor market | Increase wages of low-income earners
– Job stability fund to support minimum wage (2.63 million workers, KRW 3 trillion)
Reduce the number of non-regular workers and eliminate discrimination – Regularize non-regular workers in the public sector (150,000 workers during 2018) – Push ahead with revision of the Act on the Protection, etc. of Fixed-term and Part-time Workers this year to establish the principle of employing regular workers – Restructure the discrimination correction system, establish the principle of equal pay for equal work
Alleviate the disparity in working conditions between workers of primary contractors and subcontracted firms – Prepare plans to alleviate disparities in working conditions between workers of primary contractors and subcontracted firms – Investigate, through joint inspection, whether the primary employer holds joint responsibility for the payment of wages to in-house subcontract employees, and also whether there are unfair practices of in-house subcontracting |
| Creation of more decent jobs | Expand job opportunities
– Support SMEs and medium-sized enterprises
Support customized employment for youth and the middle-aged – Provide a job-seeking allowance for youth, and expand employment success packages
Strengthen employment safety net for vulnerable groups – Employment insurance: reduce blind spots (expand the application of insurance to persons in special types of employment), strengthen coverage – Industrial accident insurance: expand insurance coverage to persons in special types of employment and the self-employed, ease the burden of proof on workers seeking to prove occupational illness |
| Improving quality of life in workplaces | Decrease long working hours
– Prioritize revision of the Labor Standards Act regarding reduction of working hours
Realize work-life balance and secure the right to rest – Prepare restructuring plans for systems of holidays and leaves |