Government offers 3-way labor talks.

(From The Korea Herald)

By Seo Hyun-jin The government proposed yesterday that trade unions, employers and the administration set up a temporary dialogue channel, on the sidelines of their currently inactive trilateral panel, to prevent labor conflicts from paralyzing economic development. Labor Minister Kim Dae-hwan made the suggestion at a forum of representatives from the labor, management, government and academia presided over by by President Roh Moo-hyun in Cheong Wa Dae. At the meeting, held under the theme "Measures for dialogue and win- win relationship between labor and management," the president called on the two sides to engage in vigorous negotiations and seek compromise on a host of tricky bilateral issues. The debate followed Roh's talks with business leaders the past two weeks on how to revitalize the sagging economy. It also comes at a crucial time as labor unions flex their muscles for June strikes despite concerns such actions would worsen the already troubled economic situation. Two major labor groups, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and Federation of Korean Trade Unions, attended the forum - the first time they have been together in five years for a meeting chaired by a president. "Roh asked labor ...