1. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining in Korea
By Kim, Sung Jin
Korea Labor Foundation (KLF)
Seoul, Korea

2. Q1
How many workers do you need to form a trade union in your country?

3. Q2
Who are the actors of industrial relations?

4. Q3
Is it possible for a trade union to bargain collectively with the employer without having been recognized?

5. Q4
How do you think of a trade union without a collective agreement?

6. 1. Historical background to industrial relations in Korea
○ Korea War in
○ Image of trade unions and labor movement in a conservative society of divided Korea

7. ○ Political authoritarianism after 1961 military coup, and Park Chung-hee, Jeon Doo-whan regimes until 1987
○ Heavy restrictions on freedom of association
○ Industrialization driven by the exports; restricting trade union activities

8. ○ Enterprise-based trade unions – weak and dependent on employers
○ Full-time union officers paid by employers
○ Most of collective negotiations at the enterprise level – employers with upper hand

9. 2. Political democratization and 1987 industrial relations system
○ Political freedom won from 1987 democracy struggle
○ Fresh opportunities for “democratic trade unions” to be organized and independent of employers and the state(KCTU)
○ Old unions also more active than before, but moderate until 1990s(FKTU)

10. ○ Support of workers and general public alike to trade union movement
○ Union’s negotiation power > employers’ power
○ Single, strong enterprise-based unions

11. 3. 1997 industrial relations system
○ New FKTU in solidarity with KCTU in 1997 workers’ struggle
○ Freedom of association permitted at the industry and national level (industrial unions/federations, and national union centers)
○ Multiple unions not yet allowed at the enterprise level

12. 4. 2010 industrial relations system
○ Ban on payment to full-time union officers by employers (unfair labor practice)
○ Paid time-off, instead

13. 5. 2011 industrial relations system
○ Freedom of association to all levels
○ Collective bargaining in the multiple union system

14. 6. Concluding and Q5 ○ Bargaining power of parties/actors
○ Bargaining level (enterprise, sub-sectoral, regional, industry, national)
○ Social dialogue
○ What is your opinion for stronger bargaining power in full freedom of association?

15. 감사합니다