기사 메일전송
Labor and Management Conflicts about Minimum Wage Hikes
  • 최현정 관리부장
  • 등록 2021-08-31 10:50:04
기사수정

Business managers and Labors are continuing their confrontation over next year’s minimum wage hike and freeze. On July 8, 2021, the eighth meeting was held at the Ministry of Employment and Labor at Sejong Government Complex to determine the minimum wage for next year. Labor, which requested 10,800 won per hour in the initial demand, has amended its request to 10,440 and management, which had demanded the same 8,720 won as this year, has now amended its request to 8,740 won. Although the gap between the two sides has narrowed from 2,080 won to 1,700 won, the social situation caused by COVID-19 is intensifying the confrontation between labor and management, and they are trying to find a compromise.


 Interview

  Do you think a minimum wage increase is necessary?

Labor group: After the recent major change caused by COVID-19, the number of part-time positions that were already difficult to find has decreased. As economic inequality and labor market polarization have intensified, the minimum wage increase is needed.

Management group: We are opposed to raising the minimum wage. We claim that the economy should be stabilized the minimum wage, not just recklessly raising the minimum wage.


  Explain the reason why the minimum wage should be raised or frozen. 

Labor group: Minimum wage non-regular workers are the most affected in the COVID-19 situation. They are anxious that they will not be able to find jobs again. Some countries abroad are quickly aware of this situation and are establishing a ‘Safety net against social poverty’ through the minimum wage. The focus of next year’s minimum wage deliberation should be actively considered as a major means for resolving social polarization.

Management group: We already have the 52-hours workweek policy and substitute holiday act. If the minimum wage is raised in addition to these regulations, it is difficult to hold up any longer. Personnel expenses account for a large proportion of business expenditures, and raising the minimum wage can present a big problem.


 In this situation, what are the opinions of Kyonggi University students? Let’s listen to the students’ positions on raising the minimum wage through interviews.

Please introduce yourself.

I’m Kim Yerin, majoring in tourism management at Kyonggi University. I work part-time at a cafe and an academy.

I’m Kim Hyesun, majoring in chemistry at Kyonggi University and I work part-time at a restaurant. I’m currently working part-time at 9,000 won per hour.


  Please tell me your opinion and reason for raising the minimum wage. 

I think a part-time worker's purpose is to make money. Most part-time workers naturally agree with raising the minimum wage. However, from the perspective of some business owners, the increased minimum wage seems to be quite burdensome.

From a part-timer’s point of view, I am positive about the minimum wage increase because means getting paid more. I feel that my current part-time job requires much more labor than the money I receive. Therefore, I think that the minimum wage should be raised in order for my work to be proportionate to my wages.


  What changes do you think will occur in terms of profit or loss if the minimum wage goes up?

If the minimum wage goes up, I think it will offer me a more comfortable and convenient life as a college student who prioritizes studying. For example, if the wage increases from 8,720 won per hour to 10,000 won. We can earn more money compared to our time.

I think one of the biggest concerns for college students is the financial aspect. You can solve your financial problems by working part-time. Wages alone can let us improve our lives and save money. With the money you save, you can buy the things you need to live alone later or save the deposit you need to get a room. If I get paid more through raising the minimum wage, I will be able to improve my ability to live my life on my own.


  Please share your thoughts on the positive and negative aspects of the continuous minimum wage hike.

The positive part is that, we can make more money in the same time. However, the downside is that quite a few owners often limit the time to 14 hours a week due to the system of holiday pay. Therefore, there are not many part-timers who actually receive holiday pay. Both of the places I work offer less than 15 hours a week.

As a part-timer who has worked for a long time, I think it’s good for a part-timer because it means earning more money. As the hourly wage increases, the salary also increases, so the salary returned to part-timers increases, and the satisfaction of part-timers increases.


  Tell me what you hope to see regarding the minimum wage.

As a hard-working part-timer, I hope the minimum wage gets higher. Moreover, I hope the day will come when I get paid fairly for my effort, not passion pay.

I hope that the minimum wage will be raised, yet at the same time I also hope that it will be maintained. If you look at the increase in the minimum wage from a different perspective, you can see that prices are rising. It’s not necessarily the case that prices in the economy as a whole eventually return to individuals. Therefore, I believe that there are advantages and disadvantages, and I think it is important to find a middle ground.


 Through this interview, we heard about the position of students who are working part-time. The common opinion between the two students is that they are in favor of raising the minimum wage. The reality of completely satisfying both labor and management is practically difficult. There must be discontent and people’s opinions on the minimum wage are all different. However, it is clear that when deciding on policies related to the minimum wage, the damage to those affected by the decision should be minimized. It is important to raise the minimum wage but find alternatives that will satisfy as many people as possible.


Management Editor · CHOI HYUN JEONG · chj010627@naver.com 

75th Cub Reporter · GO EUN JI · dorothy0438@naver.com

TAG
0
모바일 버전 바로가기