Members of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) shout slogans and hold up banners reading ‘Let’s fight for the basic rights of the Workers’ at a rally against the government’s labor policy in Seoul, South Korea, 10 March 2026. File. Photo by JEON HEON-KYUN / EPA
April 10 (Asia Today) — More than 1,000 subcontractor unions have requested collective bargaining with primary contractors in the first month since South Korea’s revised labor law took effect, though relatively few negotiations have begun.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, 1,011 subcontractor unions representing 145,860 workers filed bargaining requests with 372 primary companies as of Wednesday.
In the private sector, 616 unions sought talks with 216 companies, while 395 unions in the public sector filed requests with 156 organizations.
Despite the surge in requests, only 33 companies – about 8.9% – have formally announced the start of negotiations, and just 19 completed the process confirming bargaining parties. Handong Global University is the only case so far where formal talks have begun, holding an initial meeting with a subcontractor union Wednesday.
Officials said the process remains in an early stage, as companies and unions work through procedures such as determining employer status and separating bargaining units.
A total of 170 complaints were filed with the labor commission over companies failing to publicly acknowledge bargaining requests. Of those, 110 were withdrawn and 54 remain under review. In six completed cases, authorities recognized the primary contractor as the employer.
Applications to divide bargaining units have also increased, with 117 filed so far. Thirteen were approved and six rejected. Cases involving Korea Electric Power Corp. and major bank call centers were approved by job function, while other cases were split by union affiliation.
The ministry said the rulings show bargaining structures are not being fragmented indefinitely, countering concerns from businesses.
The government described the current phase as part of establishing a new bargaining framework between contractors and subcontractors.
However, business groups warned the law could increase the burden of negotiating with multiple unions and potentially extend into management decisions. Labor groups, meanwhile, criticized delays by companies in initiating the process.
Even within labor circles, there has been a cautious approach as both sides monitor early rulings and precedents.
Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon said the revised law is intended to institutionalize dialogue between contractors and subcontractors.
“Legal procedures such as bargaining requests and unit separation are part of building a stable framework for dialogue,” he said, adding that the government will continue to support the law’s implementation.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260410010003225