Finance minister vows efforts for smooth implementation of 'Yellow Envelope' bill
Published: 04 Mar. 2026, 15:46
![Protesters call for a government response and a resolution to mass layoffs following the scrapping of the “Yellow Envelope" pro-labor law in front of the Blue House in central Seoul on Jan. 22. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/04/dce9775c-bf62-4215-825d-b6a2e0fbecb1.jpg)
Protesters call for a government response and a resolution to mass layoffs following the scrapping of the “Yellow Envelope" pro-labor law in front of the Blue House in central Seoul on Jan. 22. [YONHAP]
The government will focus all its capabilities on the smooth implementation of the revised labor law aimed at broadening the bargaining rights of workers, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Wednesday.
Koo made the remarks in a meeting with officials from government ministries related to the so-called Yellow Envelope bill, as the legislation is set to take effect on Tuesday.
"We will designate the first three months following the implementation of the revised Trade Union Act as an intensive inspection period," the minister stated.
The revision, passed by the National Assembly last year, was designed to guarantee the bargaining rights of indirectly employed, subcontracted workers and prohibit companies from filing lawsuits for damages or provisional seizures against unionized workers.
"We know expectations and concerns both exist ahead of the scheduled implementation of the revision," Koo said.
"But the revised labor law is aimed at promoting mutual respect and cooperation between management and labor to establish a framework of co-existence for the two sides and support the development of the national economy."
The finance minister said the government will designate the first three months following the law's implementation as an intensive inspection period to provide guidelines and reduce unnecessary confusion.
The government will also regularly operate communication channels among labor, management and the government to collect feedback and devise support measures, while preparing for collective bargaining demands from the public sector, he added.
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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