The Korea Daily Labor News(Maeil Nodong) surveyed 100 officials representing the government, trade unions and employers as well as experts in the labor field at the end of last year to find out key labor issues and persons anticipated in the year 2017. The survey was carried out in a manner that respondents were requested to write down their opinions(multiple answers were allowed) on key issues and persons of the year 2017.
#1. Labor reform which includes the amendment of four labor-related laws and two state guidelines on general dismissal and performance-based wage system.(89 picks of 279 replies)
#2. Jobs and unemployment in relation to corporate restructuring in the shipbuilding industry and youth unemployment.(46 picks)
#3. Measures to address the widening inequality through the raise of minimum wage and introduction of basic income.(43 picks)
#4. Impeachment of President Park Geun-hye and a subsequent earlier-than-scheduled presidential election and the political empowerment of working class.(27 picks)
#5. Contingent(irregular) workers such as dispatched workers, in-house temporary agency workers and self-employed workers in special forms of employment.(26 picks)
#6. Outsourcing problem of safety accidents and high risks facing the workers in indirect forms of employment shown in the cases of Seoul Subway, Samsung Electronics Service, SK Broadband, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Steel.(10 picks)
#7(tied). 4th industrial revolution.(4 picks)
#7(tied). Redesigning of the ordinary wage and wage system.(4 picks)
#7(tied). Reduction of working hours.(4 picks)
#7(tied). Reform of the conglomerates.(4 picks)
The persons who will draw the most attentions from the public are:
#1. Moon Jae-in, former chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea who is currently the frontrunner among the potential presidential candidates in the polls.(37 picks of 251 replies)
#2. New FKTU president who will be elected on January 24, 2017.(22 picks)
#3. Han Sang-gyun, imprisoned KCTU president.(21 picks)
#4. Lee Jae-myung, mayor of Seongnam City who is a potential presidential candidate.(19 picks)
#5. Ban Ki-moon, former UN secretary general who is a potential presidential candidate.(14 picks)
#6. New president-elect.(13 picks)
#7. President Park Geun-hye.(11 picks)
#8. Kim Dong-man, FKTU president
#9(tied). Lee Ki-kweon, minister of employment & labor; Park Won-soon, Seoul mayor; Hwang Kyo-ahn, acting president(prime minister)
reported by Kim Hak-tae
translated by Kim Sung-jin