The South Korean government is seeking to allow independent contractors such as deliverymen and truck drivers the right to unionize as a part of President Moon Jae-in’s labor policies to strengthen precarious workers’ rights and conditions.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor said Tuesday that they would set up a legal framework to guarantee basic labor rights - to organize, bargain collectively and take collective actions - to provide protection for workers in precarious jobs through outsourcing and employment agencies who fall under the classification as “independent contractors.” Such jobs include caddies, home-school teachers, truck drivers, and insurance agents. They are classified as independent contractors but usually are dependent on a single employer behaviorally or financially. Because they are legally independent, the hiring company can easily replace them.

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) in May proposed setting legal grounds to enhance rights of these workers. The recommendation was largely ignored, but the employment ministry changed its position after left-leaning Moon who made a campaign promise on the issue took office.

It is unclear whether the law revision can be pursued as the move is heavily contested by employers as well as these workers who fear spike in taxes once their status become legally dependent on employers.

The business sector advises discretion as the move motivated to enhance rights of independent contractors could end up making their jobs even more unstable.

By Kim Gyu-sik, Lee Seung-yoon and Choi Mira

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]