Labor calls for 11,700 won, management offers 10,410 won per hour

Gap shrinks from 1,410 won to 1,290 won

Ryu Ki-jung, executive director of the Korea Employers Federation, speaks during the 11th plenary session of the Minimum Wage Commission at the Government Sejong Complex on Thursday. From left: Yang Ok-seok, head of the human resources policy division at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business; Ryu Ki-jung; Ryu Ki-seop, secretary-general of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions; and Lee Mi-seon, vice chairwoman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. [Yonhap]
Ryu Ki-jung, executive director of the Korea Employers Federation, speaks during the 11th plenary session of the Minimum Wage Commission at the Government Sejong Complex on Thursday. From left: Yang Ok-seok, head of the human resources policy division at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business; Ryu Ki-jung; Ryu Ki-seop, secretary-general of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions; and Lee Mi-seon, vice chairwoman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. [Yonhap]

Negotiations between labor and management over next year's minimum wage continued Thursday, as the Minimum Wage Commission held its 11th plenary session at the Government Sejong Complex and received fourth revised proposals from both sides.

Labor representatives proposed an hourly wage of 11,700 won ($8), down 300 won from their initial demand and 1,380 won, or 13.4 percent, above this year's minimum wage of 10,320 won.

Management countered with 10,410 won per hour — 90 won above its original proposal and a 0.9 percent increase over the current rate.

The gap between the two sides narrowed by 120 won, from 1,410 won at the time of the third revised proposals to 1,290 won. Both sides made one additional concession, but the divide over the scale of any increase remained wide.

Labor has moved down a total of 300 won from its initial demand of 12,000 won, while management has moved up 90 won from its opening position of 10,320 won.

The two sides exchanged revised proposals again Thursday in an effort to find common ground but failed to bridge their differences over the appropriate level of increase.

Minimum wage deliberations proceed through successive rounds of revised proposals as the two sides gradually narrow the gap. The commission is set to receive further revised proposals and continue its review.

If no agreement is reached, public interest commissioners may propose a "deliberation facilitation range" to encourage a compromise, or the commission may ultimately put the matter to a vote to determine the minimum wage.


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