[Herald Economy=Yang Dae-geun] Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party has criticized the administration of Lee Jae-myung amid ongoing labor-management unrest, saying, “To reduce conflicts caused by the Yellow Envelope Law, we must first set clear standards.”On May 1, Yoon wrote on Facebook that “today is the first time Labor Day falls on a legal holiday,” and he added that while society reaffirms the dignity and rights of labor, “we also need to calmly review how worker-protection measures are operating on the ground.”
He said that since the Yellow Envelope Law took effect, more than 400 prime contractors have received demands for collective bargaining in a short period. Although the law’s amendment makes its intent clear, actual bargaining has been limited, and confusion over how to apply the rules and define their scope remains widespread. That uncertainty has delayed dialogue and heightened tensions.
He also warned that disputes over bonuses have recently spread to some large firms, raising industry-wide concerns. Key issues — such as the extent to which prime contractors should be recognized as employers and the degree of their bargaining obligations — are being interpreted differently, leaving both labor and management to act amid uncertainty. This gap in clear standards can produce unnecessary clashes at workplaces.
Yoon cautioned that this confusion disproportionately burdens vulnerable workers. Temporary and subcontracted employees and those at very small businesses are meant to be protected by the law, but they are also the most exposed to its consequences. Authorities should verify whether the law’s protections are effectively reaching these groups.
He said Labor Day should be about restoring balance, not escalating conflict, and argued that a system that imposes an excessive burden on either side is unsustainable. “Now is the time to clarify standards so the Yellow Envelope Law can honor its intent while functioning in practice,” he said.
He called for concrete guidelines on who qualifies as an employer, the allocation of responsibilities, and bargaining procedures, stressing that beyond debating the law’s direction, policymakers must ensure it becomes a workable system in practice.
