Labor ministry backs construction skills pact to ease site labor crunch

The Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association and the Korea Specialty Contractors Association signed an agreement on Wednesday to train skilled construction workers and improve compliance with the industry's retirement benefit system, the labor ministry said.

The two bodies met at the Specialty Construction Hall in Seoul, pledging to work together against a labor shortage in the construction industry and to improve working conditions for construction laborers.

Under the pact, they will pool efforts to secure tradespeople in short supply on building sites and to train young workers and skilled personnel, widen use of the construction skills grading system and help skilled workers find jobs. They will also step up guidance and training for employers so the retirement benefit scheme runs smoothly at job sites, and extend cooperation into other areas affecting worker welfare and employment conditions.

"I hope this agreement becomes an opportunity to support stable labor supply at construction sites and the training of skilled workers, and to strengthen cooperation for the smooth operation of the retirement benefit system," said Chang Geon, chairman of the Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association. He added that the fund would continue working closely with the specialty construction industry to protect laborers' rights and improve their employment conditions.