Labor, transport ministries launch TF to examine taxi drivers' working conditions

Government, labor and management representatives and experts are joining forces to examine the working conditions of taxi drivers, including their working hours. The task force plans to review existing studies and overseas cases, gather input from industry stakeholders and draw up a concrete investigation plan.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said they held the inaugural meeting of the "Taxi Industry Working Hours and Labor Environment Survey Task Force" — a working title — Thursday morning at the Korea Institute for Vocational Education and Training in Jung-gu, Seoul.

The TF was launched to objectively assess the working conditions of taxi industry workers. It brings together labor and management representatives from the taxi sector, government officials and experts recommended by all three parties.

On the labor side, the Federation of Korean Taxi Workers' Unions, the Korean Democratic Taxi Workers' Federation and the taxi branch of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union are participating. The Korea Taxi Transport Business Association represents management, while the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport represent the government.

Thursday's meeting focused on the TF's operational direction and schedule as it works toward making taxi driving "a better job people want to do." Government representatives included the director of the Wage and Working Hours Policy Division at the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the head of the taxi policy team at the Transport Service Policy Division of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Going forward, the TF plans to examine existing research and overseas cases on taxi industry working conditions through expert presentations. It will gather sufficient input from labor and management before finalizing a plan for a full-scale survey of the sector.