PHOTOS: Small business owners rally demanding freeze on minimum wage

SEOUL, June 25 (AJU PRESS) - Around 2,000 small business owners gathered in front of the National Assembly in Seoul's Yeouido to demand a freeze on the minimum wage for 2025 and the implementation of industry-specific rates.

The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME), the organizer of the rally, argued wage hikes would further worsen conditions for small businesses in food, accommodation and other sectors already suffering from declining sales amid an economic slowdown and increased costs.

The group demanded that the Minimum Wage Commission set different minimum wage rates for different industries. The panel is currently in the process of setting the minimum wage for next year.

Small business owners chant slogans at minimum wage reform rally outside National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Small business owners chant slogans demanding a freeze on the minimum wage during a rally outside the National Assembly in Seoul on June 25, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Small business associations from across South Korea rally for minimum wage reform National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Small business owners hold a rally demanding a freeze on the minimum wage outside the National Assembly in Seoul on June 25, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Protester holds flag reading Living because I cant die at minimum wage reform rally National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Small business owners hold a rally demanding a freeze on the minimum wage outside the National Assembly in Seoul on June 25, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Protester displays placard calling for industry-specific minimum wages at reform rally National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Protesters hold signs calling for different minimum wages for different industries at a rally outside the National Assembly in Seoul on June 25, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Participant wears hat with slogans at minimum wage reform rally National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — A protester wears a paper hat with slogans demanding a freeze on the minimum wage at a rally outside the National Assembly in Seoul on June 25, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Small business owners rally demanding minimum wage reform National Assembly Seoul June 25 2024 AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok — Small business owners hold a sit-in demanding a freeze on the minimum wage outside National Assembly in Seoul on June 25, 2024. AJU PRESS Park Jong-hyeok

Park Jong-hyeok qkrwhdgur2164@ajupress.com

PHOTOS: Small business owners rally demanding freeze on minimum wage

Related