ID :
28199
Mon, 11/03/2008 - 16:34
Auther :
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https://www.oananews.org//node/28199
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(EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Nov. 3)
Korea, unite
The Grand National Party proposed establishing a ???pan-national people???s
council??? to iron out a grand compromise among labor unions, employers and the
government. The Democratic Party followed by pressing for the establishment of a
social organization that will work to cope with possible mass unemployment. Although
the names may be different, it???s good that both the ruling and opposition parties
have called for measures to overcome the current economic crisis by uniting the
people.
We have experience in overcoming a national crisis by getting labor unions,
employers and the government to work together. The Tripartite Commission of Labor,
Management and the Government, established in February 1998 right after the
financial crisis, came up with 90 measures with which to overcome the crisis,
gaining trust from foreign investors.
The current crisis is as severe as 10 years ago. Although we have been relieved of a
financial crisis thanks to global cooperation, a painful economic recession awaits
us. Household insolvency is high compared to the 1990s, and given that we have more
vulnerable temporary employees and small firms, the shock of further unemployment
and shrinking incomes will be greater.
Given this situation, there is a lot for labor, management and the government to do
through social consultation. It is imperative that they solve the mass unemployment
that will come with the recession. The main point is to share the pain. To do so,
they should come up with what each of the three parties should concede, and then put
that into practice.
As we extinguish the fire, we should also get rid of persistent obstacles that
impede economic growth. We must find measures to end destructive labor-firm
relationships that block foreign investment and seek the people???s consensus on
issues such as temporary workers and rich?poor polarization, which have high social
consequences but that firms have difficulty in dealing with alone.
If the consultative body is to function properly, it needs the equal participation
of people from all classes and sectors. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions,
which left the tripartite commission and has instead focused on a hard-line labor
movement, should take the opportunity to return to the fold. Employers and civic
groups should show the wisdom necessary to overcome the crisis. Politicians should
be at the heart of the effort, uniting society. They should not think of using the
forum for politicking.
(END)
The Grand National Party proposed establishing a ???pan-national people???s
council??? to iron out a grand compromise among labor unions, employers and the
government. The Democratic Party followed by pressing for the establishment of a
social organization that will work to cope with possible mass unemployment. Although
the names may be different, it???s good that both the ruling and opposition parties
have called for measures to overcome the current economic crisis by uniting the
people.
We have experience in overcoming a national crisis by getting labor unions,
employers and the government to work together. The Tripartite Commission of Labor,
Management and the Government, established in February 1998 right after the
financial crisis, came up with 90 measures with which to overcome the crisis,
gaining trust from foreign investors.
The current crisis is as severe as 10 years ago. Although we have been relieved of a
financial crisis thanks to global cooperation, a painful economic recession awaits
us. Household insolvency is high compared to the 1990s, and given that we have more
vulnerable temporary employees and small firms, the shock of further unemployment
and shrinking incomes will be greater.
Given this situation, there is a lot for labor, management and the government to do
through social consultation. It is imperative that they solve the mass unemployment
that will come with the recession. The main point is to share the pain. To do so,
they should come up with what each of the three parties should concede, and then put
that into practice.
As we extinguish the fire, we should also get rid of persistent obstacles that
impede economic growth. We must find measures to end destructive labor-firm
relationships that block foreign investment and seek the people???s consensus on
issues such as temporary workers and rich?poor polarization, which have high social
consequences but that firms have difficulty in dealing with alone.
If the consultative body is to function properly, it needs the equal participation
of people from all classes and sectors. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions,
which left the tripartite commission and has instead focused on a hard-line labor
movement, should take the opportunity to return to the fold. Employers and civic
groups should show the wisdom necessary to overcome the crisis. Politicians should
be at the heart of the effort, uniting society. They should not think of using the
forum for politicking.
(END)
