Ministry to build cooperative framework with regional labor commissions ahead of second-half wage talks

Special inspections of defense and semiconductor sectors launched in wake of Hanwha explosion

Response to employment risks from heat waves and Middle East war also strengthened

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon [Yonhap]
Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon [Yonhap]

The Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to form regional "labor-management negotiation support teams" nationwide ahead of the second-half wage and collective bargaining season, aiming to prevent labor disputes and support negotiations between prime contractors and subcontractors.

The move comes amid expectations that contractor-subcontractor bargaining will increase following the recent controversy over Samsung Electronics' performance bonuses and the implementation of the revised Trade Union Act. The government has signaled it will actively intervene to foster a negotiation culture centered on dialogue and compromise.

The ministry said Minister Kim Young-hoon convened a nationwide directors' meeting Thursday, attended by the heads of 49 regional employment and labor offices, to discuss second-half labor relations strategies, industrial safety measures and responses to employment market risks stemming from the prolonged Middle East war.

Although Samsung Electronics recently reached a wage agreement without a strike, some large companies have signaled strikes or work-to-rule campaigns in pursuit of expanded performance bonuses. In response, the ministry said it would form "labor-management negotiation support teams" centered on eight regional offices, working in cooperation with regional labor commissions to provide close support to negotiations at major workplaces.

Special inspections of defense and semiconductor sectors following Hanwha blast

In his opening remarks, Minister Kim said claims that the revised Trade Union Act had triggered recent performance bonus disputes were unfounded. "Some have argued that the revised Trade Union Act sparked the recent performance bonus disputes, but that is not the case when you consider the intent and substance of the revised law, which seeks to achieve mutual growth through institutionalized dialogue between prime contractors and subcontractors," he said.

He added that the ministry would "build a close support framework in cooperation with regional labor commissions so that major workplaces can reach agreements through dialogue and compromise," and said it would "pursue social dialogue so that profit-sharing can lead to corporate growth, the development of both prime contractors and subcontractors, and mutual benefit for all stakeholders."

The ministry also discussed thorough investigation and recurrence prevention measures in connection with the explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon factory, which killed five workers. Going forward, the ministry plans to conduct emergency joint inspections of industrial safety and labor standards, focusing on recently booming sectors such as semiconductors and defense, and to carry out preemptive supervisory inspections at workplaces where similar accidents have recurred.

"I feel deep sorrow and a heavy sense of responsibility over the reality that workers continue to lose their lives at workplaces they go to in order to live," Minister Kim said. "Under the principle that there is no compromise on safety at any workplace, please devote every effort to guidance and inspections."

Ministry calls for readiness on heat waves and Middle East war

Before the summer heat intensifies, the ministry said it would conduct focused inspections to verify on-site compliance with its five basic heat safety rules — cool drinking water, cooling equipment, rest breaks of at least 20 minutes every two hours, provision of cooling gear, and calling 119 in emergencies — as well as prevention rules for suffocation accidents in confined spaces.

In addition, the ministry said it would proactively monitor signs of an employment crisis to minimize the impact of the prolonged Middle East war on the domestic labor market. It plans to strengthen outreach on the employment retention subsidy system for sectors with eased eligibility requirements, including aviation and plastics, and to provide tailored support in preemptive employment crisis response zones in cooperation with local governments.

"As the fallout from the Middle East war could affect the labor market, please spare no effort to swiftly detect signs of an employment crisis and ensure that necessary support is provided in a timely manner," Minister Kim said.


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