South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stressed the importance of considering workers’ acceptance when implementing labor market flexibility. He expressed disapproval of one-sided sacrifices by workers during company policy adjustments. Lee made these comments during a debate with the Economic, Social, and Labour Council, a presidential advisory body.
“We must create conditions where workers willingly embrace the employment flexibility sought by companies. Coercion is unfair,” Lee stated during the session at Cheong Wa Dae. He highlighted the need to strengthen the social safety net to support workers in a changing job landscape, urging companies benefiting from increased labor flexibility to share more responsibility.
Lee advocated for a balanced approach, suggesting a symbiotic relationship between job growth, labor flexibility, and social security. He underscored the significance of dialogue to rebuild trust between labor and management, aiming for mutual understanding and compromise. Lee proposed a scenario where labor compromises on flexibility while companies absorbing the benefits contribute to the social safety net.
Encouraging the council to facilitate social dialogue, Lee urged efforts to bridge the gap between management aiming to cut labor expenses and workers prioritizing job stability. He emphasized the necessity of trust restoration through constructive discussions as a fundamental step towards resolution. Prior to the debate, the council endorsed a joint declaration focusing on addressing social disparities and achieving sustainable development.
