The Korea Federation of Trade Unions has initiated a second survey on employment conditions for non-regular workers following the April 10 Yellow Envelope Campaign strike. This marks another significant judgment recognizing prime contractors as employers for subcontracted union members.
Labor Commission Targets Major Industrial Bodies
During a public-private joint labor relations meeting on April 7, the Gyeongbuk Regional Labor Relations Commission issued an employment ruling against the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, a key target affiliated with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Unions assert that the corporation, through its subsidiaries, manages facilities and directs tasks via service contracts and work orders. This effectively controls the workload, assignments, compensation, and working conditions of subsidiary employees, even if formal employment contracts remain separate. Officials describe these arrangements as substantive and concrete dominance over labor terms.
Second Round of Decisions Across Key Organizations
This ruling represents the second such decision since early April, following similar outcomes on April 2 for organizations including the Korea Atomic Energy Safety Technology Institute, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Asset Management Corporation, and Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science.
Push for Public Sector Labor Education
The public sector labor union has urged government ministries—such as the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism—as well as local authorities to implement mandatory education programs. Despite these requests, no agencies have yet commenced training.
Union representatives emphasize, “Public sector entities must lead by example through education to foster broader societal progress.” They continue advocating for these initiatives across government departments.
