Unionized subcontracted workers stage a protest in front of POSCO Center in Seoul, Tuesday, urging the steelmaker to join collective bargaining with them. Courtesy of Korean Metal Workers' Union

POSCO, Hyundai Mobis and Hanwha Ocean became the main targets of unionized subcontracted workers on Tuesday, as a pro-labor revision to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act — better known as the “yellow envelope law” — took effect after a six-month grace period.

The subcontracted workers asked the clients of their actual employers to join negotiations over wages and working conditions, citing the new law that justifies their demands.

President Lee Jae Myung said the same day cooperation between large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises under the new law should be seen as “an investment rather than charity” and even “a survival strategy.”

POSCO faced protests from subcontracted workers at its steel plants in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, and Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, for repeatedly refusing to negotiate even after the Supreme Court ruled that the company’s use of outsourced labor was illegal.

Calling for direct employment of workers responsible for regular tasks, the subcontracted workers urged the company to accept their request to join collective bargaining and end discriminatory practices.

“POSCO should apologize for the illegal use of subcontracted workers and take part in talks to convert them into full-time employees,” a union representative said in front of the company’s Seoul office.

Hyundai IHL's unionized workers stage a protest in front of Hyundai Mobis' headquarters in Seoul, Tuesday, urging the parent firm to join collective bargaining with them. Courtesy of Korean Metal Workers' Union

The union of Hyundai IHL, a Hyundai Mobis subsidiary that supplies car lamps, held a rally in front of the parent firm's headquarters in Seoul to demand that the firm scrap its plan to sell the lamp business to France’s OPmobility. Hyundai Mobis announced the sale earlier this year, saying it aimed to streamline its business structure.

Expressing concern over job security following the deal, the union asked Hyundai Mobis to join direct wage talks with Hyundai IHL employees.

Source: Korea Times News