Climate Crisis and Decent Work: Exploring Reduced Working Hours and Fair Wage Strategies for the Co-evolution of Human and Non-human Nature
Authors:   Wonkwang University Legal Research Institute has, Park So Hee 
Published: April 2024

Bruno Latour emphasizes, “We can no longer liberate ourselves as we could in the past. We are facing a completely new situation.” This statement underscores the climate crisis as a manifestation of the entanglement between nature and culture, compelling humanity to reassess previously viable approaches. These include, at a theoretical level, the dualism between nature and culture, anthropocentrism, and growth ideology, and, on a more practical scale, individual labor and consumption patterns. The evolving macro and micro dynamics highlight the contradictions within capitalist labor systems, challenges the labor law has sought to address. Beyond this, it prompts a reevaluation of the labor subject's mode of existence and the working conditions required in the Anthropocene era. The central question of this research is whether our lives, labor, and theories can adapt to this “new situation” and articulate a concept of “liberation” relevant to our current moment. In seeking answers to this question, the study first explores the conceptualization of labor as envisioned by the labor laws of the Anthropocene, alongside the capabilities that enable such existence. Specifically, it goes beyond the alienation issues highlighted by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing to propose a framework for the existence, relationships, and behaviors of working subjects. This framework emphasizes the integration of our physical selves with our attention, intentions, and actions into the Earth's system, where human and non-human actors intertwine. The study suggests these elements are crucial for participating in the co-evolution of nature and culture, covering all aspects of daily life and labor. For this mode of existence, it highlights the importance of capabilities in existence, relationships, and behaviors as focal points for the labor laws of the Anthropocene. Furthermore, the study advocates for the reduction of working hours and the establishment of a fair wage system as essential conditions to facilitate the capabilities and modes of existence targeted by the Anthropocene's labor laws. It argues that working hours and wages are not merely basic labor conditions but also significantly influence the broader spectrum of existence, including survival. The study posits that decreasing working hours and ensuring adequate wages might not directly affect the well-being of non-human nature. However, the resultant time and financial flexibility could greatly enhance individuals' capacity for existence, relationships, and behaviors, and thereby, reconstruct their relationship with non-human nature. As practical measures to reduce working hours, the study proposes shortening statutory working hours, compensating for overtime work with time rather than money, and expanding the annual paid leave system. Additionally, this study reviews Article 32 (1) of the Constitution, which mandates fair wage guarantees, and suggests the formation of industry-specific tripartite consultative bodies involving labor, management, and government as a mechanism to implement a fair wage system.