More Than Half of Employees Have "Experienced or Witnessed Unfair Practices by Client Companies"

"Discrimination in Wages, Vacations, and Welfare" Tops List at 44%
77% Cite "Serious Gap in Working Conditions Between Client Companies and Subcontractors"

A recent survey found that more than half of employees have either directly experienced or witnessed unfair practices by client companies.

According to a poll commissioned by Workplace Gapjil 119 and conducted by the professional research agency Global Research from February 2 to 8, 2026, among 1,000 employees aged 19 and over nationwide, 55% responded that they had "experienced or witnessed unfair practices" by client companies.

By type, the most common was "discrimination regarding wages, vacations, work tools, gifts for holidays or anniversaries, and the use of welfare facilities," cited by 44% of respondents. This was followed by "direct supervision or management of subcontracted workers' work or shifting of hazardous tasks," at 37.3%; "workplace harassment, sexual harassment, or sexual assault," at 25.6%; and "interference with union activities, such as obstructing union formation or filing claims for damages," at 24.2%.

When those who had experienced or witnessed such practices were asked how they responded, the most common answer was "endured it or pretended not to know," at 49.8%. This was followed by "protested individually or with colleagues" at 35.4%, "resigned from the company" at 24.0%, "reported it to the company or the labor union" at 14.7%, and "reported it to a relevant authority" at 6.7%.

Perceptions regarding the treatment of subcontracted workers were also negative. 80.1% of respondents said, "The treatment of subcontracted workers in Korean society is not fair." In addition, 77.7% stated that "the wage and working condition gap between client companies and subcontractors is severe."

A representative from Workplace Gapjil 119 pointed out that as long as the structure continues in which client companies exercise substantial authority without taking responsibility, the problem of unfair practices by client companies will inevitably persist. Hyunki Min, a labor attorney at Workplace Gapjil 119, stated, "With the enactment of the Yellow Envelope Act, the door has opened for collective bargaining with client companies, so there should be broad negotiations to address discrimination by client companies." He added, "It is necessary for the Ministry of Employment and Labor to provide active guidance and make determinations to ensure that client companies participate in negotiations within the scope where their substantial control is recognized."

Additionally, 74.2% of employees said that the performance of client companies should also be distributed to subcontractors, and 61.6% believed that labor unions would help reduce unfair practices by client companies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.