Sogongyeon: "Even a Feather is Heavy... Measures Needed to Alleviate On-Site Burden"

[Financial News] With the minimum wage for 2026 set at 10,320 won, up 2.9% from this year, the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprises expressed concern, calling it a "situation where even a feather is heavy." They also urged the government to prepare effective follow-up measures while respecting the social agreement.
The federation stated in a position paper on the 10th, "Considering the reality of small business owners and self-employed people suffering from the highest-ever debt and prolonged economic downturn, we have repeatedly appealed for a freeze or a decision at the freeze level," adding, "This increase can only act as an additional burden on them."
The federation explained, "In a structural crisis more severe than the foreign exchange crisis, the rise in labor costs for small business owners with weakened constitution can exacerbate management difficulties," adding, "Nevertheless, we participated in the social agreement with the mindset of a desperate measure, sympathizing with the cause of rapid recovery of the people's economy."
The federation emphasized that since this decision was made through social agreement, other employment-related issues should also be resolved through social dialogue. They hope that employment issues such as employment type, time, and related law application will be discussed through social dialogue.
They also urged the government and the National Assembly to "recognize the burden on small business owners due to this minimum wage increase and directly prepare practical support measures." Specifically, they ordered multifaceted and effective support such as the revival of job stabilization funds and the expansion of management stabilization funds.
The federation also expressed a critical stance on the structure of repeated minimum wage increases every year. The federation argued, "The current unreasonable structure where the fate is decided by large corporate union officials or professors unrelated to the small business owners, without reflecting the payment ability of small business owners," and insisted on a comprehensive reform such as the introduction of a biennial system, differentiated application by industry, and strengthening representation.
Finally, they stated, "We will continue to do our best to protect the survival rights of small business owners and recover the people's economy."

jimnn@fnnews.com Shin Ji-min Reporter