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| ▲ Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, holds a briefing on the Middle East situation at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 6, 2026. (Yonhap) |
labor law-implementation
Top presidential aide voices hope 'yellow envelope act' to promote labor-management dialogue
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, March 9 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung's chief of staff said Monday the revised labor law aimed at broadening workers' bargaining rights should serve as a starting point for promoting dialogue and co-prosperity between labor and management.
Kang Hoon-sik made the remark during a meeting with senior presidential aides on the eve of the implementation of the so-called yellow envelope act, which is designed to guarantee bargaining rights for indirectly employed and subcontracted workers and prohibit companies from filing damage claims against unionized workers.
"The act should become a new starting point for co-prosperity between workers and management," Kang said.
The pro-labor bill will take effect after passing on a third attempt, following two vetoes by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who argued it would make it difficult for companies to hold unions accountable for illegal strikes and could hamper business activities.
"It will serve as an important turning point that removes the shackles of retaliatory damage claims threatening workers' right to live and opens the door to dialogue," Kang said.
He called on the labor community to exercise its bargaining rights in an "orderly manner," while urging employers to recognize labor unions as partners and engage in negotiations in good faith.
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