ID :
191757
Wed, 06/29/2011 - 11:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/191757
The shortlink copeid
Concerted effort required to make multiple union system a success
SEOUL, June 29 (Yonhap) -- Multiple unions will be allowed in each workplace starting on July 1, and there are both positive expectations and concerns for the new system which will be introduced 14 years after labor, management and political parties agreed on the change. Related parties agreed on the system in accordance with a recommendation from the International Labor Organization, but the implementation has been delayed due to the enormous impact the system is expected to have on the nation's economy.
The introduction of the multiple union system will likely raise South Korea's status as an advanced country in labor-management relations. However, the prospects for the new system are not very bright since there is potential for labor-management or labor-labor conflicts.
The labor circle is discontent over the regulation that it is required to use a single negotiation channel when bargaining with employers and vows to use the utmost effort to abolish it.
The labor circle has persistently demanded the removal of the requirement to set up a single body representing multiple unions, saying that it will alienate newly created unions or unions with small memberships.
The government and the management circle have different thoughts. If the negotiation channel is not unified, management could be tied to negotiations with different unions throughout the year, which would make it difficult to effectively manage companies.
The labor organizations have declared an all-out struggle to invalidate the unified negotiation channel. They have been pressuring political parties to amend the labor union law again.
In the legislature, opposition parties have initiated a bill to revise the labor union law, and some members of the ruling Grand National Party have voiced support for the revision of the law.
The government, meanwhile, is adamant that a revision of the labor union law in order to change a previous revision made on Jan. 1, 2010 is impossible even before the multiple union system is implemented. The business circle also insists that the opposition parties and labor organizations should immediately stop their attempts to revise the law.
What is important for the two sides in this situation is to seek to communicate by carefully considering each other's position.
The introduction of the multiple union system is regarded as an effort to advance labor-management relations to match international recommendations. Some say it will help socially vulnerable classes, such as non-regular workers, by exercising their right to unionize. A negative assessment of the system is that it would aggravate labor-management relations by instigating labor-labor conflicts centered around who will be the representatives in negotiations with management.
Labor, management and government members should cooperate and make a concerted effort to help the new system take root in our society. Loopholes of the system, which will be exposed after its implementation, should be quickly mended. To make the system a success, all the parties concerned should refrain from engaging in extreme confrontation and should instead work toward cooperation for coexistence and common prosperity.
The introduction of the multiple union system will likely raise South Korea's status as an advanced country in labor-management relations. However, the prospects for the new system are not very bright since there is potential for labor-management or labor-labor conflicts.
The labor circle is discontent over the regulation that it is required to use a single negotiation channel when bargaining with employers and vows to use the utmost effort to abolish it.
The labor circle has persistently demanded the removal of the requirement to set up a single body representing multiple unions, saying that it will alienate newly created unions or unions with small memberships.
The government and the management circle have different thoughts. If the negotiation channel is not unified, management could be tied to negotiations with different unions throughout the year, which would make it difficult to effectively manage companies.
The labor organizations have declared an all-out struggle to invalidate the unified negotiation channel. They have been pressuring political parties to amend the labor union law again.
In the legislature, opposition parties have initiated a bill to revise the labor union law, and some members of the ruling Grand National Party have voiced support for the revision of the law.
The government, meanwhile, is adamant that a revision of the labor union law in order to change a previous revision made on Jan. 1, 2010 is impossible even before the multiple union system is implemented. The business circle also insists that the opposition parties and labor organizations should immediately stop their attempts to revise the law.
What is important for the two sides in this situation is to seek to communicate by carefully considering each other's position.
The introduction of the multiple union system is regarded as an effort to advance labor-management relations to match international recommendations. Some say it will help socially vulnerable classes, such as non-regular workers, by exercising their right to unionize. A negative assessment of the system is that it would aggravate labor-management relations by instigating labor-labor conflicts centered around who will be the representatives in negotiations with management.
Labor, management and government members should cooperate and make a concerted effort to help the new system take root in our society. Loopholes of the system, which will be exposed after its implementation, should be quickly mended. To make the system a success, all the parties concerned should refrain from engaging in extreme confrontation and should instead work toward cooperation for coexistence and common prosperity.
