[Unofficial English translation provided by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

"What are the main issues with the Yellow Envelope Bill? "Immunity from illegal activities" vs. "Expansion of legal strikes"," 15 September 2022

The "Yellow Envelope Bill" not only limits damage compensation suits but aims to prevent workers from illegality by fundamentally expanding the range of legal strikes and strengthening collective bargaining rights.

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There were five damage compensation suits filed against striking workers this year, documented by Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, which amounted to 70 billion Won. The labor rights movement perceive the purpose of these suits as destroying labor unions rather than recovering losses. On the other hand, the business community is opposing the Bill, claiming it violates property rights by exonerating illegal activities. However, this Bill still allows damage compensation suits due to violence or destruction. It does expand the range of legal strikes. Currently, only strikes to improve working conditions are legal. It is illegal to strike against layoffs. The Bill expands the range of legal strikes to those that aim to improve socioeconomic status. This revision is in line with ILO recommendations to the South Korean government.

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