Gov't said to change policy direction for non-regular workers

SEOUL, July 28 (Yonhap) -- In a significant policy volte-face, the government and
ruling Grand National Party agreed Monday to scrap a disputed revision to the law
governing irregular workers, officials said, and review the policy "from
scratch."
The government had earlier sought to allow businesses to hire employees on
irregular basis for up to four years instead of two years under the current law,
enacted on July 1 2007.
But they have now agreed to help support the promotion of irregular workers to
regular status.
The government and the ruling party had claimed up to one million workers could
lose their jobs after the two-year period expired at the beginning of the month,
arguing companies are bound to replace their irregular workers than to promote
their status to permanent and better-paying positions.
No mass layoff of workers has yet occurred, while the Ministry of Labor said
Monday that it will no longer insist on legislating the planned revision,
apparently acknowledging that its estimate may have been overstated.
The GNP had also tried to push for a two-year suspension of the law's
enforcement, but failed as labor-friendly opposition parties again objected,
calling the measure a makeshift postponement of problems.
"Because we have already failed to reach a deal (with the opposition) on a
suspension, we will come up with a new solution for discussions at the regular
parliamentary session in September," a GNP official said of decision reached at a
government-party coordination meeting held Tuesday.
"The sides will review the issue from scratch because we believe we need a
fundamental solution," the official told reporters.
Other GNP officials said new solutions could include a reduction of positions for
which companies can hire irregular workers, as well as introduction of a quota on
irregular workers promoted to regular positions, which could help reduce the
overall number of workers employed on irregular basis.
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) welcomed the government's change of
stance, saying the government and the ruling party were "finally coming to their
senses."
"It is a belated decision, but it's fortunate that it at least came," the DP's
chairman Rep. Chung Sye-kyun said.
Over five million people are currently employed on an irregular or non-permanent
basis in the country, according to earlier data released by the labor ministry.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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