The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) of South Korea has officially launched a task force focused on enhancing the negotiation power of economically disadvantaged workers, specifically targeting special employment workers in the construction and freight sectors. This initiative came into light during the FTC's first meeting held on the 9th, where the task force, composed of experts recommended by academia and economic organizations, discussed the need to reevaluate the application of the Fair Trade Act. One of their main proposals is to exempt labor unions formed by these workers from the punitive measures of the Fair Trade Act, which previously categorized them in a manner that hindered their collective bargaining rights.

The task force's findings highlight a significant gap in the current legal framework where workers in special employment roles—like construction and freight workers—are legally regarded as 'individual businesses,' despite functioning similarly to regular employees. This categorization has led to enforcement actions from the FTC against these labor unions and their agreements, framing them as unregulated business practices. The intended legal adjustments aim to ensure these workers can exercise their rights without the fear of being penalized for collective activities under the pretense of trade violations.

Furthermore, FTC Chairman Ju Byeong-gi has previously acknowledged that applying the Fair Trade Act to workers' rights issues was tantamount to infringing on their labor rights, especially in light of past controversies involving the freight labor union's protests. The new task force also plans to explore exceptions to the Fair Trade Act for small business owners negotiating collectively against larger corporations, thereby bolstering the bargaining power of smaller entities. The FTC expresses hope that this reformed approach will enhance the overall economic stability and negotiation capabilities of these vulnerable worker groups, which they believe may also contribute positively to inflation and export competitiveness in the economy.