Naver Union Initiates Legal Procedures for Integrated Bargaining... Applies for Correction with Gyeonggi Regional Labor Commission

Calls for Review and Improvement of the Amended Labor Union Act at the National Assembly Audit

The Naver Labor Union held a press conference at 10:30 a.m. on the 2nd in front of the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission, announcing that even after the enforcement of the amended Labor Union Act (Yellow Envelope Act), the parent company has not responded to the negotiation demands, and they plan to file a "Request for Correction of the Fact Announcement of Integrated Negotiation Demand" with the Labor Relations Commission. Provided by the Naver Labor Union.

The Naver Union, which is demanding integrated bargaining, has officially initiated legal procedures to determine whether Naver, the parent company, is to be regarded as the employer.

The Naver Union held a press conference in front of the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission at 10:30 a.m. on October 2, announcing that even after the implementation of the amended Labor Union Act (Yellow Envelope Act), the parent company has not responded to bargaining demands, and it plans to file a "Request for Correction of Fact Announcement of Integrated Bargaining Demand" with the Labor Relations Commission. The union argues that given the intent of the Yellow Envelope Act, it is unfair for Naver to deny being the actual employer of its affiliates' workers and to refuse collective bargaining, insisting that Naver must respond to the bargaining request.

This is the first time in the IT industry that a union has applied for a correction of the fact announcement concerning a collective bargaining demand to the Labor Relations Commission. The Labor Relations Commission is required to make a decision within 10 days of receiving the request and may extend the deadline once for up to 10 more days, so a conclusion is expected by late October at the latest.

Since a declaration ceremony for its integrated bargaining demand on August 20, the Naver Union has formally demanded integrated bargaining, which covers 15 affiliated corporations, three times to date. Naver Union Chapter Head Oh Seyoon said, "Even though more than 40 days have passed since the initial request, Naver has not announced the bargaining demand, claiming that it 'is not in a practical or concrete position to control or determine the working conditions of affiliated legal entities.' However, given Naver's ownership structure, the subordination of sales and business, and the processes for personnel transfers and determination of working conditions, Naver has in fact exercised substantial control over the working conditions of its affiliate workers, making its refusal to negotiate unfair."

Attorney Kim Taewook, a member of the Naver Union's legal advisory team, stated, "The reality of the contract employers is that they are effectively Naver's business units or exclusive subcontractors, meaning they are even more economically dependent than typical affiliate companies. Naver administers the rules and systems applied to affiliate company workers in an integrated manner to operate its business efficiently, essentially incorporating the contract employers' business operations into Naver's business organization."

The Kakao Union, also demanding integrated bargaining, underscored the need for a new bargaining structure for the IT sector at a press conference the previous day. Kakao Union Chapter Head Seo Seunguk stated, "Those in positions of authority should not hide behind their responsibilities," adding, "Instead of passing the blame for business failures on to workers' employment and wages, alternatives should be sought within the group."

The IT industry in Pangyo is closely watching the developments involving Naver and Kakao. Song Garam, Chapter Head of the NC Union, commented, "The IT and gaming industries rely on close collaboration among many teams involved in planning, development, design, operation, and more for a single service. However, collective bargaining is still fragmented by legal entity, and such gaps hinder cooperation. Therefore, a bargaining structure reflecting the realities of the industry is needed."

Meanwhile, Naver reiterated its previous stance, stating, "Naver is not in a practical or concrete position to control or determine the working conditions of the union members belonging to its affiliate companies."

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