Get the latest on labor issues, from childcare worker conditions and collective bargaining to the current state of public agency subsidiaries.
The KCTU has announced a general strike for July 15 to demand direct bargaining with primary contractors and the repeal of Ministry of Labor guidelines. Meanwhile, the GM Korea union will stage a 48-hour partial strike starting July 15, and the ATU Local-1208 in Jackson, USA, has been on strike since July 13 to protest unfair labor practices by MV Transportation.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has declared a general strike for July 15, demanding more substantial collective bargaining with original contractors four months after the "Yellow Envelope Law" took effect. Meanwhile, Incheon International Airport Corporation has begun an era of supra-enterprise bargaining by signing a framework agreement with its facilities engineers' union. Elsewhere, Hyundai Motor Company's labor and management have entered a phase of partial strikes starting July 13 following a breakdown in wage negotiations.
Public sector labor unions are pushing for direct government negotiations to address key issues, while migrant workers at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Ulsan site are protesting discriminatory pay and deductions. Strengthening safety management and ending discrimination against temporary workers remain top priorities.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is tightening the screws on public sector labor struggles by calling for a national general strike on July 15. The Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) is currently campaigning for direct negotiations with prime contractors and the scrapping of Ministry of Employment and Labor enforcement decrees and interpretation guidelines. With subcontracted unions attempting their first strikes against prime contractors following the implementation of the "Yellow Envelope Act," the "summer struggle" front is widening, while demands for budget allocations to eliminate discrimination against irregular workers in the public sector continue.
Amid ongoing labor issues in the public sector, the minimum wage gap remains stuck at 1,540 KRW. KORAIL’s planned corporate restructuring is drawing attention for its potential impact on workers, while the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s release of investigation reports on major accidents is fueling hopes for enhanced industrial safety.
Hyundai Motor’s union is escalating pressure by boycotting overtime starting July 6, while public sector unions demand direct government negotiation to end wage gaps. Meanwhile, the government is looking into stricter safety protocols following a rise in workplace deaths.
It's been 100 days since the labor law amendment, yet prime-subcontractor negotiations remain stagnant. Meanwhile, we're seeing a spike in workplace deaths at public institutions, making safety system improvements a top priority, along with tackling wage discrimination for irregular workers and protecting health during heatwaves.
It’s been 100 days since the Yellow Envelope Law took effect, but we’ve only seen 10 cases of direct negotiations between prime contractors and subcontractors—the system is off to a slow start. Meanwhile, Orion workers passed their wage deal with 87% approval, and Kakao’s labor and management are back at the table. All eyes are now on the upcoming minimum wage talks as the government balances inflation concerns with labor relations.
Eleven public institution leaders received warnings due to serious accidents in their workplaces, signaling a shift in safety accountability. Meanwhile, labor groups are gearing up for wage increase demands, while issues regarding non-regular worker pay and discrimination remain unresolved.
It’s been 100 days since the Yellow Envelope Law took effect, but public institutions are still avoiding direct negotiations. With call center talks stalled for three months, the KCTU is prepping for a July general strike. Meanwhile, the Seoul-area ready-mix concrete workers' strike ended after eight days with a 6% wage hike, and rising workplace fatalities in public institutions are sparking urgent calls for safety reform.
As the KCTU prepares for a general strike on July 15, the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) is demanding an end to discriminatory pay for public service workers. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor's union is holding a strike vote following failed wage negotiations, and a surge in workplace deaths at public institutions to 33 last year is fueling calls for stricter safety protocols.
The KCTU’s upcoming July 15 strike is intensifying labor-management conflicts over direct bargaining with original contractors. Meanwhile, the KPTU is pushing the government to end wage discrimination against public service workers, and discussions on improving safety systems are heating up due to rising industrial fatalities in public institutions.
The Hyundai Motor union has declared an impasse in wage negotiations and is moving toward a strike, while the Public Transport Union is pushing for direct government negotiations, criticizing Gyeonggi Province’s "employer-responsibility avoidance manual." Meanwhile, the government is strengthening safety systems following an increase in industrial fatalities at public institutions.
The Public Transport Workers' Union is calling for direct negotiations with the government to address wage discrimination against public service workers. Meanwhile, a spike in 33 workplace fatalities at public institutions has highlighted urgent safety failures, and Gyeonggi-do is under fire for allegedly creating a manual to evade employer responsibilities.
The Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) is demanding direct government negotiations to address pay and allowance discrimination for public sector administrative staff. Meanwhile, the KCTU has announced a "June Struggle" and a planned July general strike to push for better care worker wages. Additionally, concerns are mounting over workplace safety as industrial accident deaths at public institutions climbed to 33 last year.
The Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union is calling for direct negotiations with the government to address wage discrimination against public sector staff. Meanwhile, the KCTU has announced a "June Struggle" for better working conditions for care workers and is planning a general strike in July, highlighting the ongoing tension over non-regular worker inequality.
The National Ready-Mix Concrete Transport Workers' Union has launched an indefinite strike involving 8,000 members and 11,000 vehicles, threatening major delays in construction. Meanwhile, the KCTU is demanding labor law reforms and budget increases for care workers, signaling a nationwide strike in July.
The National Ready-Mix Concrete Transport Workers' Union kicked off their fight for a new collective agreement with a rally on the 8th. Meanwhile, demands continue for a budget that addresses discrimination against non-regular public sector workers, and safety requirements for public institutions are tightening under the revised Occupational Safety and Health Act.
The public labor scene is currently dealing with a mix of complex issues, including calls for budgets to end discrimination against irregular workers, debates between the government and unions over workplace safety, and a rise in subcontracted unions demanding bargaining rights with prime contractors. Plus, following the enactment of the "Yellow Envelope Law," legal rulings recognizing the employer status of prime contractors are starting to reshape labor relations in construction and manufacturing.
The largest union at Samsung Electronics has lost its majority status, marking a significant shift in labor dynamics. Meanwhile, there’s continued pressure on the public sector to address wage discrimination for temporary workers and regulate fixed-term contracts. The KCTU held an emergency rally demanding the government fulfill its labor policy promises.
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