[Business News][SMG Provides Labor Attorney Service for Small Businesses Called "The “Village Labor Attorneys Program "
SMG Provides Labor Attorney Service for Small Businesses
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) will implement a test project called “Village Labor Attorneys” that provides free labor consulting for small business with less than four employees to prevent them from violating the labor law without knowing and paying penalty fee. From July 2016 to the end of the year, a group of 50 certified labor attorneys will visit a total of 300 small businesses and provide them consulting.
According to the laborers awareness survey conducted in 2015 for 3,603 laborers working in small businesses such as restaurants, internet cafes, etc. in Seoul, many laborers were not aware of working conditions that must be followed by labor laws such as signing the employment contract (15%), weekly holiday allowance (21%), etc. Also, according to the inspection results of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, there were a total of 155 cases of labor law violation in 197 businesses that hired teenagers.
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According to the laborers awareness survey conducted in 2015 for 3,603 laborers working in small businesses such as restaurants, internet cafes, etc. in Seoul, many laborers were not aware of working conditions that must be followed by labor laws such as signing the employment contract (15%), weekly holiday allowance (21%), etc. Also, according to the inspection results of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, there were a total of 155 cases of labor law violation in 197 businesses that hired teenagers.
The “Village Labor Attorneys” program is comprised of fifty attorneys recommended by labor-related organizations such as the Korea Certified Public Labor Attorneys Association, labor attorneys dedicated to promoting labor rights, and other well-regarded attorneys. The attorneys will provide consulting in five autonomous districts, including Jung-gu, Gangnam-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, and Mapo-gu starting from July 2016. The autonomous districts in which the project will be test operated were selected based on the number of small businesses in the district.
The attorneys will visit the businesses and offer improvement plans for labor management such as properly writing a labor contract, administering the payroll, creating a wage administration in accordance with labor laws, mandated break time and allowable work times, holiday management, and other required documents for personnel management. In addition, they will explain complex labor laws in a manner that can be easily understood, and provide required forms for small businesses.
In 2016, consultations will be provided for 300 businesses (60 for each autonomous district). First, the labor attorney in charge of the business will visit the business twice over a period of two weeks to examine the labor management status and proceed with intensive management consulting, including making suggestions for improvement. Six months later, the labor attorney will revisit the business to examine the performance, and also listen to the difficulties and provide additional counseling.
The SMG plans to expand the project to 1,000 businesses in 2017, and support a total of 4,000 small businesses by 2020 by reviewing the performance of the labor attorneys and the level of satisfaction of business owners starting with the test operation conducted in 2016.
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In 2016, consultations will be provided for 300 businesses (60 for each autonomous district). First, the labor attorney in charge of the business will visit the business twice over a period of two weeks to examine the labor management status and proceed with intensive management consulting, including making suggestions for improvement. Six months later, the labor attorney will revisit the business to examine the performance, and also listen to the difficulties and provide additional counseling.
The SMG plans to expand the project to 1,000 businesses in 2017, and support a total of 4,000 small businesses by 2020 by reviewing the performance of the labor attorneys and the level of satisfaction of business owners starting with the test operation conducted in 2016.