SEOUL — May 1st, currently recognized as 'Laborer's Day' (Geunroja-eui Nal), is set to revert to its original designation, 'Labor Day' (Nodongjeol), following the passage of new legislation in the National Assembly. This move is part of a broader push by the government to align the holiday's nomenclature with international tradition and to elevate its status to that of a public holiday. The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) announced on October 26 that the 'Act on the Establishment of Labor Day' and seven other labor-related laws under its jurisdiction had successfully cleared the National Assembly plenary session.
The legislative change marks a significant restoration of the holiday’s historical identity in South Korea. Globally, May 1st is celebrated as May Day, commemorating the struggle of American workers in 1886 to achieve the eight-hour workday. In Korea, the day was first recognized as 'Labor Day' in 1923. However, this designation was replaced in 1963 with 'Laborer's Day' through the enactment of the 'Act on the Establishment of Laborer's Day.' Initially observed on March 10th, the date was shifted to May 1st in 1994.
The advocates for reinstating 'Labor Day' argue that the term 'laborer' (geunroja) carries baggage from the Japanese colonial period and the subsequent era of rapid industrialization. They contend that the term connotes a 'controlled and passive meaning,' failing to adequately reflect the autonomy and intrinsic human value of labor. Furthermore, a semantic comparison is often drawn: Geunro is defined as 'working diligently,' whereas Nodong is 'working by moving the body,' with the latter considered a more 'value-neutral term.'
Conversely, opponents of the name change maintain that the term Geunro predates the Japanese colonial era. They also point out that the Constitution itself uses the term Geunro (e.g., Geunro Rights), suggesting there is no compelling need to alter the established holiday name.
Despite this debate, the government is moving forward with its plan to elevate the day's stature. MOEL has committed to actively supporting discussions within the National Assembly and coordinating with relevant ministries to designate the newly named Labor Day as a full-fledged public holiday. A bill proposing this change has already been introduced and is currently pending review by the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee.
In addition to the name change, other significant labor legislation was passed. A key amendment to the 'Guarantee of Workers' Retirement Benefits Act' will now exclude the application of the 'no-punishment-against-explicit-wish' principle (banuisa bulbeol-joe) for business owners who have already had their names publicly disclosed for wage arrears but subsequently default on severance pay.
Further strengthening worker protections, amendments to the 'Wage Claim Guarantee Act' were approved. This allows the government to seek reimbursement from employers for wages paid to workers on the employer’s behalf in cases of non-payment. Finally, an amendment to the 'Employment Insurance Act' also passed, authorizing the government to expand and provide increased employment retention subsidies during periods of nationwide severe deterioration in employment conditions. These legislative steps collectively underscore the government's commitment to enhancing workers' rights and security, both in nomenclature and in practice.
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