[South Korea] Revisions to Fixed-Term Employment Act will address contract abuse

In South Korea, the government is moving to revise the Fixed-Term Employment Act, which mandates that fixed-term workers be converted to indefinite-contract positions after two years of employment, MSN reports.

On April 13, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced its intention to conduct a survey on fixed-term employment conditions by June, followed by expert discussions and social dialogue to reform the system.

The Fixed-Term Employment Act was enacted in 2007. It requires employers to convert fixed-term workers to regular workers, or indefinite-contract positions, if they work beyond two years. 

But growing criticism reportedly suggests that the law has led to widespread abuse, with employers terminating contracts before the two-year mark. 

In early April, during a meeting with leaders of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, President Lee Jae Myung said, “It has effectively become a ‘prohibition on employment beyond two years’ law.” 

The President advocated for the creation of practical alternatives. In response, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the responsible agency, is accelerating institutional improvements.

The ministry has reportedly commissioned the Korea Labor Institute to conduct research for the reform of the fixed-term system. After completing a survey on fixed-term workers by June, it will discuss improvement measures through a forum composed of labour and economic experts. 

Before this, the ministry will announce measures to improve the treatment of non-regular workers in the public sector later this month.

Source: MSN

(Quote via original reporting)

In South Korea, the government is moving to revise the Fixed-Term Employment Act, which mandates that fixed-term workers be converted to indefinite-contract positions after two years of employment, MSN reports.

On April 13, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced its intention to conduct a survey on fixed-term employment conditions by June, followed by expert discussions and social dialogue to reform the system.

The Fixed-Term Employment Act was enacted in 2007. It requires employers to convert fixed-term workers to regular workers, or indefinite-contract positions, if they work beyond two years. 

But growing criticism reportedly suggests that the law has led to widespread abuse, with employers terminating contracts before the two-year mark. 

In early April, during a meeting with leaders of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, President Lee Jae Myung said, “It has effectively become a ‘prohibition on employment beyond two years’ law.” 

The President advocated for the creation of practical alternatives. In response, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the responsible agency, is accelerating institutional improvements.

The ministry has reportedly commissioned the Korea Labor Institute to conduct research for the reform of the fixed-term system. After completing a survey on fixed-term workers by June, it will discuss improvement measures through a forum composed of labour and economic experts. 

Before this, the ministry will announce measures to improve the treatment of non-regular workers in the public sector later this month.

Source: MSN

(Quote via original reporting)