Minimum Wage? Lee Keeps Silent Amidst Self-Employed Crisis [6·3 Presidential Election]

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, has identified boosting domestic demand as the most urgent task. To this end, he has put forward a pledge to increase sales by forgiving COVID-19 loans for the self-employed and expanding local currency. Perhaps because of this, he avoids mentioning the increase in the minimum wage, which burdens the self-employed. As economic recovery is a priority, it was reported on the 27th that the plan is to focus on eliminating blind spots rather than pressing for a hasty increase in the minimum wage.

Candidate Lee rarely directly mentions the minimum wage. This was the case during the last presidential election as well. It seems to be conscious of the criticism that the previous Moon Jae-in administration's rapid increase in the minimum wage exacerbated the burden on small self-employed businesses, reducing short-term jobs and worsening income polarization.

Even the official inquiry from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions was met with evasiveness by Lee's Central Election Countermeasures Committee.

When the Minimum Wage Movement Headquarters for All under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions asked about the minimum wage increase target, the election committee only provided a principled response, stating, "We will respect the decision made by the labor, management, and public interest committee members at the Minimum Wage Commission."

As the COVID-19 pandemic and low-growth economic recession continue, self-employed individuals are increasingly cornered. In response, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform New Party have proposed a pledge to allow local governments to adjust the minimum wage.

In such a situation, it is not easy for candidate Lee, who is 'all-in' on saving the self-employed, to casually mention a minimum wage increase.

An election committee official said, "The current economic situation is not good enough to recommend an increase to the Minimum Wage Commission as was done during the Moon Jae-in administration," adding, "We hope the Minimum Wage Commission will conclude at a level that promotes 'the stable livelihood of workers and qualitative improvement of labor force, thereby fostering sound development of the national economy' as stipulated in the Minimum Wage Act."

However, candidate Lee has not completely abandoned the issue of the minimum wage. He plans to focus on eliminating blind spots where workers are not recognized under the Labor Standards Act and thus not covered by the minimum wage system.

First, he is considering implementing a 'worker presumption system' targeting atypical workers such as special employment, platform workers, and freelancers. This system grants worker status in cases where they are practically under the direction and supervision of an employer. The responsibility to prove non-worker status lies with the employer, aiming to first restore the rights of workers.

For cases where it is difficult to recognize worker status even under the worker presumption system, a minimum compensation system is being considered. This system guarantees compensation at the minimum wage level for workers not under the direction and supervision of an employer. Although it was initially included in the draft labor pledge, it was removed, but candidate Lee has stated in meetings with atypical workers that he will reconsider it.

uknow@fnnews.com Kim Yun-ho Reporter