The Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Ministry of Employment and Labor are taking steps to alleviate the labor burdens faced by small businesses and provide support for hiring lawyers when necessary to prevent disputes.
On June 2, Minister Han Seong-sook announced a plan to support small business owners in hiring lawyers during a meeting focused on labor issues at the Korea Certified Labor Attorneys Association in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
The meeting included small business owners from sectors such as convenience stores, restaurants, and cafes, where labor-related disputes frequently arise due to high employee hiring rates. Participants shared their challenges in labor management and discussed potential improvements.
The Small Business Association explained the labor-related difficulties faced by on-site small business owners and proposed an expansion of government support to address these issues. Previously, on May 29, the association signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Certified Labor Attorneys Association to establish a management safety net for small businesses and improve labor conditions.
Following this, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced government support measures to resolve labor issues for small businesses.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups plans to collaborate with the Korea Certified Labor Attorneys Association to create a Q&A-style guidebook focusing on common labor cases that small business owners often overlook. Additionally, they will hold regional briefings and produce online informational videos, including short-form content.
Furthermore, the Small Business Association will operate a counseling center where small business owners can seek advice in the event of labor disputes. For serious labor issues, they will support consultations and the hiring of specialized labor attorneys.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor introduced a 24-hour 'AI Labor Law Counseling' service for individual small business owners and plans to integrate it with the 'Small Business 24' support platform to enhance accessibility.
Participants expressed the need for government consulting support due to the significant management burden caused by complex wage and allowance systems, such as weekly holiday pay and severance pay.
Minister Han Seong-sook stated, "Small business owners often find it difficult to keep up with complex labor laws while focusing on their daily operations. We will implement the announced support measures effectively and strive to create an environment where small business owners can manage their businesses with peace of mind by better understanding and preventing common labor issues."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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