Labor-management forum held at Government Complex Seoul to explore ways to protect employee rights; union calls for improved treatment of minority job series, stronger medical staffing support at national hospitals
The Ministry of Health and Welfare Civil Servants' Union delivered a set of key proposals to Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong on improving working conditions and treatment for frontline employees, calling for labor-management cooperation to drive meaningful systemic reform.
The union held a labor-management forum with Jeong at Government Complex Seoul on Tuesday, discussing major issues related to employee rights and overall organizational operations.
The forum was organized to share the difficulties faced by frontline employees and explore effective solutions based on mutual trust.
Agenda items included guaranteeing union activities and providing work consideration for union members, expanding education support for employees approaching retirement and promoting self-directed learning, securing adequate staffing and improving personnel systems for workers in minority job series, and establishing a medical staffing support system for national hospitals in connection with the transfer of national university hospitals.
Particular attention was given to easing the burden on employees who balance union duties with their regular work, and to the need for adequate staffing and personnel system reforms to improve conditions for workers in minority job series.
The forum also discussed ways to support employees' retirement preparation and professional development through expanded education opportunities for those nearing retirement and greater backing for self-directed learning.
Regarding the transfer of national university hospitals, participants addressed the need to establish a stable support system for medical personnel at national hospitals.
Union Chairman Jeong Seung-moon conveyed the practical difficulties employees face and said building a stable working environment and an organizational culture grounded in mutual respect was essential.
"It was a meaningful occasion to sit directly across from the minister and share the feelings of our employees and the voices from the field," Jeong said. "I conveyed that institutional support is needed so that employees who are fulfilling their responsibilities can be respected and work in a better environment."
The union said it will continue labor-management consultations to ensure that frontline voices translate into real systemic improvements, and will press ahead with efforts to protect employee rights and enhance working conditions.
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