○ Gyeonggi Province and the Construction and Transportation Committee conducted an on-site inspection of the operation of the electronic card system for construction workers on August 11.
– Electronic card system and safety control status verification at the construction site for the new Gyeonggi Provincial Government building in Gwanggyo
○ Active cooperation requested in operation of various systems to improve working and welfare conditions for construction workers

Gyeonggi Province and the Construction and Transportation Committee of the Gyeonggido Assembly conducted an on-site inspection of the electronic card system for construction workers at the construction site for the new Gyeonggi Provincial Government building in Gwanggyo, Suwon City, on the August 11.

Approximately 10 officials—including Construction and Transportation Committee Chairperson Kim Myung-won and Construction Bureau Director General Park Il-ha—participated in the inspection and listened to various opinions after being briefed on the operational status of the electronic card system used in the processing subcontracting prices and reviewing safety control at construction sites.

The electronic card system for construction workers has been utilized by Gyeonggi Province since August last year to prevent the employment of illegal migrant workers at low wages, secure legitimate retirement deductions, and curb irregularities in the construction industry, such as wage cuts and delayed wage payments.

The Construction and Transportation Committee of the provincial assembly actively approves of the purpose of the electronic card system for construction workers. Committee Chairperson Kim Myung-won proposed a revision to the “Ordinance on the Prevention of Delayed Payment of Wages and Protection of Subcontractors for Government Contracts in Gyeonggi Province” in November last year as a chief author and enforced the ordinance from this January to ensure the effective implementation of the system.

The system was subsequently introduced on a trial basis at four major business establishments in the province last year; this year, it has been expanded to all related construction projects valued at more than KRW 5 billion won and with a construction period of 2 years or more. It is currently in effect at a total of 21 construction sites.

Of particular note, as the related act mandating the electronic card system comes into effect nationwide from November 27 this year, the government plans to expand the system to cover a total of 30 construction projects by the end of the year, and will provide education to cities, counties and construction sites to promote the smooth implementation of the system.

Chairperson Kim Myung-won said, “The aim was to inspect how the electronic card system, which has been introduced to prevent issues such as wage exploitation of construction workers, is being utilized at construction sites since the implementation of the reasonable wage system.” He added, “The provincial assembly will provide full support for the expansion of this system to all construction sites so as to reduce irregularities in the construction industry.”

Construction Policy Division Director Lee Jae-young said, “We will continue to formulate policies for the protection of construction workers and safety at construction sites, and strive to ensure that construction workers enjoy the benefits through careful inspection of its operation.” He added, “We ask that construction sites also actively cooperate and join with the provincial administration in this regard.”

In order to realize fair construction labor sites and prevent delayed payment of subcontracting expenses and wages during the current administration’s term in office, the provincial government introduced the payment confirmation system in 2018 and applied the reasonable wage system for the payment of above-market wages for all construction contracts since last year.

In addition, the government continues to promote measures to protect construction workers and improve their labor environments by means such as operating a citizens’ supervision group to prevent accidents and disasters at construction sites.