Major umbrella union holds massive rally over subcontractor bargaining rights

A major umbrella labor union staged a large-scale rally in downtown Seoul, Wednesday, demanding businesses engage in direct negotiations with subcontracted workers.

According to police, around 5,000 members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) participated in the rally held near Gwanghwamun Square.

The labor group estimated a higher turnout of approximately 10,000.

Participants then marched toward the presidential office, calling on the government to resolve the ongoing crisis at financially troubled discount store chain Homeplus.

The retailer, wholly owned by private equity firm MBK Partners, has been financially strapped by a prolonged slump and entered court-led rehabilitation in March 2025.

Throngs of unionized workers under the umbrella union, including members of the Korean Metal Workers' Union, walked out of their workplaces to join the rally.

During the rally, the KCTU urged businesses to directly negotiate with subcontracted workers.

It has argued that many businesses have resisted such negotiations despite a recently enacted revision to the labor law designed to ex ...