Topics for March 2nd (Reply is Appreciated!)

[Charlie.]

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 Please find the topics for this week and leave reply.

1. First Section – Ice Breaking & Discussion 19:30 ~ 20:40

Korea urged to expand female labor force

By Yoon Ja-young

Korea should increase the number of women in the workforce as a means to cope with the aging population, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said Friday.

In a report, "Going for Growth 2016," the organization cited rapid population aging as a notable challenge for the country.

Korea is one of the fastest aging countries in the world. The ratio of senior citizens aged 65 and older is expected to rise to over 14 percent next year, meaning Korea will be categorized as an aged society. The working age population ― those aged between 15 and 64 ― is expected to start falling from next year.

"In a context where labor force shortages may increase, boosting the full-time labor participation of women has been high on the policy agenda," the OECD noted.

"However, this requires comprehensive reforms that not only remove institutional disincentives for full-time labor participation but also promote a working environment that helps reconcile work and family responsibilities," it stressed.

The OECD has previously recommended that Korea break down labor market duality, encourage the use of parental leave and flexible working arrangements, including more part-time jobs, and expand the supply of affordable, high-quality childcare, as measures to enhance female participation.

The country introduced the provision of free childcare for all children under five, though priority will be given to families where both parents work from this year.

The report also cited low productivity in the services sector as hurdle for the country's economy.

"The productivity level in services relative to manufacturing is particularly low in Korea, dragging down economy-wide labor productivity, which is significantly below the average of the upper-half of OECD countries," it noted.

The productivity level in services, measured as value-added per employee, was only 40 percent of the productivity level of the manufacturing sector. Korea had the lowest level among 26 OECD countries in the report. The ratio hovered above 80 percent for the United States, and over 60 percent for Japan.

"Therefore, reducing regulatory barriers to competition and innovation in network industries as well as professional services and retail distribution remains a key reform priority," the OECD recommended.

The organization was concerned over the overall slowdown of structural reform among its member countries.

"The worrying slowdown in the global economy calls out for an urgent and comprehensive policy response, drawing on all the monetary, fiscal and structural policy levers at governments' disposal," OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria said.

"Given the breadth and evolving nature of the growth and inclusiveness challenges facing advanced and emerging economies, the slowdown in the pace of structural reforms is a serious concern," he said.

Gurria added that greater ambition on structural reforms can help bring about better conditions for investment and innovation, leading to higher productivity, better quality jobs and a more inclusive approach to the pursuit of growth that benefits all segments of society.

x

yjy@ktimes.com

2. Second Section – Discussion & Debate  20:50 ~ 22:00

Over half of Koreans negative about migrant workers

More than half of Koreans have a negative attitude towards foreign workers residing here, a recent survey showed.

In a survey by local pollster Gallup Korea, 54 percent of respondents said that the migration of foreign workers to Korea is “not a good thing.” The study was conducted on 1,500 Koreans aged 19 and above.

Thirty-nine percent said that it is a “good thing,” which is significantly lower than the 57 percent average across the 69 countries that participated in this global survey. The remaining 7 percent could not decide on the matter. 

The survey, carried out from October to November last year, had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

South Koreans’ perception of migrant workers appears to have turned sour compared to 20 years ago, the pollster said. In a similar survey conducted in 1994, 50 percent of respondents were favorable towards foreign workers.

According to Statistics Korea, the foreign population working in Korea stood at 938,000 as of last May, with the number having increased every year since 2010.

Among the 69 countries surveyed, China was the most positive about the issue with 81 percent answering in favor of migrant workers. Thailand was the most negative, with 78 percent in disapproval.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

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