ID :
40849
Thu, 01/15/2009 - 20:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/40849
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S. Korean president calls for wage cuts, job-sharing
(ATTN: UPDATES with additional remarks, more background)
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Jan. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called for wage
cuts on Thursday to create more jobs, one day after a government report showed
the country's employment market shrank for first time in over five years.
"The most urgent issue on our hands is to create jobs for the heads of
households," the president was quoted as saying at a meeting of the Emergency
Economy Management Council. The presidential body was set up last week to paddle
the country out of the economic crisis.
Lee suggested the government promote "job-sharing" among workers, according to
the presidential office spokesman.
"I believe we should think of ways to promote job-sharing by cutting wages," the
president was quoted as saying by spokesman Lee Dong-kwan. The president added
that wage cuts would prompt employers to hire more workers.
The remarks come one day after the National Statistical Office said the country
lost 12,000 jobs last month, marking the first contraction since October 2003.
Lee's Grand National Party (GNP) has sought to allow employers to pay less than
the legal minimum wage to employees aged over 60 years old.
According to the party, its bill aims to provide increased job opportunities to
the elderly and retired.
The national human rights watchdog, however, has recommended the GNP revise or
withdraw the bill, saying it could seriously undermine the livelihood of
low-income families. Minimum wage currently stands at 4,000 won (US$2.93) an
hour.
Seoul has been struggling for some time to boost employment amid deteriorating
economic conditions. The president has said the current environment is feared to
push South Korea's economy into an "unprecedented recession."
Lee also stressed the need to improve working conditions and job security for
temporary and non-regular workers, according to his spokesman.
"It is important that the government improve working conditions of irregular
workers and provide more job opportunities by executing its planned budget at an
early date," he was quoted as telling the council.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Jan. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called for wage
cuts on Thursday to create more jobs, one day after a government report showed
the country's employment market shrank for first time in over five years.
"The most urgent issue on our hands is to create jobs for the heads of
households," the president was quoted as saying at a meeting of the Emergency
Economy Management Council. The presidential body was set up last week to paddle
the country out of the economic crisis.
Lee suggested the government promote "job-sharing" among workers, according to
the presidential office spokesman.
"I believe we should think of ways to promote job-sharing by cutting wages," the
president was quoted as saying by spokesman Lee Dong-kwan. The president added
that wage cuts would prompt employers to hire more workers.
The remarks come one day after the National Statistical Office said the country
lost 12,000 jobs last month, marking the first contraction since October 2003.
Lee's Grand National Party (GNP) has sought to allow employers to pay less than
the legal minimum wage to employees aged over 60 years old.
According to the party, its bill aims to provide increased job opportunities to
the elderly and retired.
The national human rights watchdog, however, has recommended the GNP revise or
withdraw the bill, saying it could seriously undermine the livelihood of
low-income families. Minimum wage currently stands at 4,000 won (US$2.93) an
hour.
Seoul has been struggling for some time to boost employment amid deteriorating
economic conditions. The president has said the current environment is feared to
push South Korea's economy into an "unprecedented recession."
Lee also stressed the need to improve working conditions and job security for
temporary and non-regular workers, according to his spokesman.
"It is important that the government improve working conditions of irregular
workers and provide more job opportunities by executing its planned budget at an
early date," he was quoted as telling the council.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
