Business Chiefs Blast Labor Reform Plan

On January 17, the heads of five major economic organizations, including the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), criticized the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Korea’s (NHRC) National Action Plan recommendations as idealistic theories reflecting only the views of some liberal groups, and called for an overall re-analysis.

They also called for the dissolution and reformation of the NHRC, citing the need to redefine its basic role and functions.

The five heads of these organizations, Kang Shin-ho of FKI, Lee Soo-young of the Korea Employers Federation, Sohn Kyung-sik of the Korea Chamber of Commerce, Kim Jae-chul of the Korea International Trade Association, and Kim Yong-gu of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business held a meeting at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu of Seoul and announced their positions on the National Action Plan recommendations.

In a statement, they argued that the NHRC’s recommendations to recognize conscientious objection to military service; allow government employees and teachers to engage in political activities; and remove limits on the place and time for holding assemblies and protests not only run counter to precedents set by the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court, but also exceed international norms.

They went on to say, “Abolishing the government arbitration system of public utility strikes, recommending businesses to refrain from employing irregular workers, and encouraging the application of equal wages for equal hours are just idealistic theories without consideration for reality,” and demanded a complete overhaul of the recommendations.

Suggesting that “in order to ease labor-management conflicts, the NHRC should no longer get involved in the matter,” the five chairmen criticized, “Socially respected persons with balanced views should be given the opportunity to participate in the future NHRC.”

In addition, they announced that “the most urgent task for enhancing human rights in the current circumstances is job creation,” and that “the Korean economic circle will play a pivotal role in creating jobs and relieving socioeconomic bipolarization through continuously expanding investment.”

Because a direct criticism of the NHRC’s recommendations at the FKI conference on January 12 was followed by an even harsher denouncement at this emergency meeting of five major economic organization heads just five days later, tension between the government and business circle is expected to escalate.

Chang-Won Kim changkim@donga.com