More than 80% of South Korean workers believe subcontracted laborers do not receive fair treatment. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 23 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent survey has revealed that more than 80% of South Korean workers believe subcontracted laborers do not receive fair treatment, highlighting deep-seated concerns about labor practices in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
The civic group Gabjil 119, which combats workplace abuse, commissioned the poll conducted by Global Research. The survey, which queried 1,000 employed adults nationwide from September 1 to 9, shed light on the perception of multi-tier subcontracting practices in South Korea.
According to the findings released on September 22, a striking 85.4% of respondents said subcontracted workers do not receive proper treatment. Similarly, 83.9% believed the disparity in wages and working conditions between primary contractors and subcontractors is severe.
The survey also found that 83.1% of participants viewed the abuse of power by primary contractors as a serious issue.
When asked about specific disadvantages faced by subcontracted workers, 34% of respondents cited discrimination in wages, holidays, holiday gifts, and access to welfare facilities as the most common form of unfair treatment.
This was followed by interference in personnel matters such as hiring, vacation, disciplinary action, and dismissal (27.4%), and direct supervision of subcontractors’ work or delegation of hazardous tasks (26.4%).
Alarmingly, 20.1% of respondents reported witnessing or experiencing harassment or sexual harassment of subcontracted workers, while 19.9% noted interference with union activities.
The survey also revealed a troubling trend in how workers respond to such mistreatment. Among those who experienced or witnessed unfair treatment, 49.5% said they endured it silently or pretended not to notice. Even more concerning, 24.7% reported quitting their jobs in response to such treatment.
When asked about who bears responsibility for the disparities in working conditions, 43.8% of respondents pointed to the government. Conglomerates and large corporations were held responsible by 26.4%, while 13.4% blamed the National Assembly and political circles.
Kim Hyun-geun, a labor attorney with Gapjil 119, commented on the findings: “In our society, indirect employment has long been established as a kind of social status.”
He argued that to address issues in the contractor-subcontractor relationship, “There needs to be proper enforcement against violations of the Dispatch Worker Act, and primary contractors should be held accountable for the entire process and results of using external labor.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
