Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young Hoon (middle) on Oct. 20 announces measures to protect the rights and interests of foreign workers and creation of an inclusive labor policy at a Coffee Briefing at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club Lounge at the Korea Press Center in Seoul’s Jung-gu District.

By Yoon Sojung and intern Baek Jiwoo

Photos = Lee Jeongwoo

Video = Park Daejin

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young Hoon has called foreign workers "important partners in Korea's economy and society and members who symbolize diversity and openness," pledging stronger protection of their rights and interests and creation of an inclusive labor policy.

Speaking on Oct. 20 at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents Club's Coffee Briefing at the Korea Press Center in Seoul's Jung-gu District, he said, "Foreign workers are our neighbors."

He highlighted the Lee administration's labor policy, which seeks a labor-respecting society for all working people.

On issues surrounding the E-9 (unskilled labor) visa and restrictions on foreign worker immigration related to the Employment Permit System (EPS), the minister said, "The Ministry of Justice is in charge of visa issuance and the Labor Ministry handles the EPS," adding, "Efforts across related ministries seek to integrate immigration and labor policies, which are scattered across government branches."

"We will set up comprehensive and systematic support system for human resources for all foreigners and bolster protection of their rights."

He added, "We will take the lead in developing an inclusive labor policy of promoting shared growth including improvements in handling human rights violations related to the system and setting up training programs to enable unskilled workers to gain skills."

On foreign workers working in Korea or those who wish to, Minister Kim reaffirmed the government's zero-tolerance policy against discrimination and unfair treatment of foreign workers.

"The ministry's basic principle is to treat issues surrounding foreign workers in Korea and Korean workers abroad on equal terms without discrimination," he said.

In response to a question on small foreign businesses operating in the country, he highlighted the principle of territoriality, saying the scope of benefits for systems that exist in Korea but not elsewhere such as maternity and child care leave and family care must also be applied to such businesses.

"I believe that foreign companies operating in Korea must follow domestic standards of labor law," he added. "My ministry will guide these companies including provision of information on labor standards for these systems to small foreign businesses in Korea."

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young Hoon on Oct. 20 describes the government's plans for supporting foreign workers at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club's Coffee Briefing at the Korea Press Center in Seoul's Jung-gu District.

Minister Kim also blamed polarization, the income gap between corporations and small and medium enterprises, and the gap in working conditions between primary and subcontractors as the causes of low growth in the economy, warning that if they remain unresolved, the ensuing lack of high-quality workforce will cause a decline in the overall labor force.

In this regard, he said the Yellow Envelope Act, an amendment to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act passed by the National Assembly in August, sought to allow subcontracted workers to negotiate with primary contractors, who control their working conditions, to resolve this gap.

"The concerns of companies and foreign investors over their obligation to negotiate and labor disputes (due to the amendment) are actually out of touch with reality because not many companies in the country have unions," Minister Kim said.

"We'll develop guidelines and manuals to take on such concerns and closely consult with foreign companies and investors to resolve any labor environment uncertainty before March 10 next year, when the law takes effect."

arete@korea.kr