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Korea, Republic of

Overview of national employment policies

Has national employment policy
Yes
Adoption of national employment policies
1ST revision in 2003; 2ND revision in 2008; 3RD revision in 2010; 4TH revision in 2013; 5TH revision in 2017
Is the NEP under revision?
No

Dialogue and stakeholders in the formulation process

National
Ministry in charge of economy/planning/finance
Yes
Ministry in charge of employment
Yes
Sectoral ministries
Yes
Trade unions
Yes
children
-
text
More information : Government-funded national research institutes (Korea Development Institute, Korea Labour Institute, Korea Research Institute of Vocational Education & Training), Secretary to the President for Job.
Civil society groups, such as women or youth associations
Yes
Employers’ organisations
Yes
Regional
Ministry in charge of employment
Yes
Sectoral ministries
Yes
Trade unions
Yes
children
-
text
Metropolitan or local governments have to establish their own Employment Policy according to the Announcement System for Job Creation Strategy in the Framework Act on Employment Policy (Article 9 and 9-2). The coordination body of employment policy is legalized in the Framework Act on Employment Policy (Article 10). The members of the body consist of representatives of local workers, employers, residents and government.
Civil society groups, such as women or youth associations
Yes
Employers’ organisations
Yes
Local
Ministry in charge of employment
Yes
children
-
text
Metropolitan or local governments have to establish their own Employment Policy according to the Announcement System for Job Creation Strategy in the Framework Act on Employment Policy (Article 9 and 9-2). The coordination body of employment policy is legalized in the Framework Act on Employment Policy (Article 10). The members of the body consist of representatives of local workers, employers, residents and government.
Civil society groups, such as women or youth associations
Yes
Employers’ organisations
Yes
N.A.
-

Coordinating actor in formulating the employment policy

Ministry in charge of employment/labour
Yes
Ministry in charge of economy/finance/planning
-
Sectoral ministry
-
Other
-
N.A.
-

Additional information:
In the regional or local level, metropolitan or local governments are the lead actor in formulating their employment policy.

Employment policy goals

Economic growth
Yes
Decent work
Yes
Employment as central to development strategy
-
Employment creation /promotion
Yes
Ensure equal opportunities / prevent discrimination in employment
Yes
Freely chosen employment
-
Full employment
-
Poverty reduction
-
Productive employment
-
Protection of workers' rights
-
Reduce unemployment
-
Reduce underemployment
-
Social inclusion
-
Environment/green jobs
-
Other
-
N.A.
-

Additional information:
The Roadmap aims to create decent jobs in order to achieve 'people-centered, continuous economic growth.’ Additionally, Korea hopes to spearhead future changes to increase employment and improve the quality of jobs by eliminating discrimination.

Strategic objectives

Strategic objectives
Ten Major Tasks of the Roadmap: 1. Building a job-oriented national governance structure. 2. Strengthening safety nets and fostering innovative human resources. 3. Creating 810 thousand jobs in public sector. 4. Promoting innovative startups. 5. Enhancing industrial competitiveness and promoting the growth of new industries and services. 6. Revitalizing the social economy. 7. Creating regional jobs. 8. Protecting non-regular workers and creating non-discriminatory work environments. 9. Enhancing working conditions. 10. Providing tailored job support to youths, women and the new middle-aged.

Employment targets

Employment opportunities
Yes
Adequate earnings and productive work
-
Decent hours
Yes
Work that should be abolished
-
Equal opportunity and treatment in employment
-
Social security
-
Social dialogue - Workers' and employers' representation
-
Other
Yes

Additional information:
- Creating 810 thousand jobs in public sector (174 thousand field-level Civil Service Jobs ; Creation of 340 thousand social service jobs including child care and elderly care ; 300 thousand public-sector jobs by converting indirect to direct employment, etc.). For detailed information, please see p. 28 to 37 of the « Five-Year Roadmap for Jobs ». - 52-hour (40+12) work weeks will be firmly established to enhance quality of life and productivity. Work hour systems will be improved and vacation and leave systems will be reformed to support work-life balance. Average annual hours of work will be reduced from 2,052 in 2016 to 1,890 in 2022. - The number of workplaces subject to labor inspections will be expanded from 20 thousand in 2017 to 100 thousand in 2022) along with the number of labor inspectors. - In order to promote employment of young workers, SMEs will be provided with subsidies that are equal to one person's wages for every three regular employees recruited. It aims to support 150 thousand workers in 5 years―3 thousand in 2017, 22 thousand in 2018 etc. - Job creation support programs will be developed and its implementation will be gradually expanded, with the target number of beneficiaries increased from 730 in 2018 to one thousand in 2020.

Action plan for implementation

National action plan
Yes
Subnational action plan
-

Coordination framework

NEP coordination framework?
Yes

Additional information:
In Republic of Korea, there are two NEP coordination bodies. One is the Employment Policy Deliberative Council (permanent) chaired by the Minister of Employment and Labour. It consists of the Vice-Ministers of related ministries (Strategy and Finance / Education / Science and ICT / Interior and Safety / Trade, Industry and Energy / Health and Welfare / Gender Equality and Family / Land and Infrastructure / SMEs and Start-ups) and those commissioned by the Minister of Employment and Labour among, representatives of workers and business owners (usually deputy level), persons recommended by the Nationwide Consultative Council of Mayors, and those with knowledge and experience of employment issues. Another one is the Jobs Committee, which is under the responsibility of the President. It includes the Ministers of the Government (11), the Presidential Advisor for Jobs, heads of trade unions (3) employers’ organization (3) research institutes such as Korea Development Institute, Korea Labour Institute, Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training and those with expertise and experience in employment policy. The Presidential Committee on Jobs is prescribed in the Presidential Decree for the Establishment and Operation of Presidential Committee on Jobs.

Monitoring indicators

Employment opportunities
-
Adequate earnings and productive work
-
Decent hours
-
Work that should be abolished
-
Equal opportunity and treatment in employment
-
Social security
-
Social dialogue - Workers' and employers' representation
-
Other
-

Target groups

Youth
Yes
Women
Yes
Informal workers
-
Rural workers
-
Older persons
-
People with disabilities
Yes
Migrants workers
Yes
Other
Yes
N.A.
-
No target group
-

Additional information:
Other: new middle-aged, non-regular workers, non-unionized workers.