[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Seoul, August 27, 2025 — The Naver labor union, officially the Naver Branch of the Korean Federation of Chemical & Textile Workers’ Union (KCTF), held its first rally after the National Assembly passed the so-called “Yellow Envelope Law” (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act).



The rally took place in front of Naver’s Green Factory headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Six subsidiaries and affiliates wholly owned or majority-owned by Naver — Green Web Service, Studio Rico, NIT Service, NTS (N-Tech Service), Incomms, and Companions — participated.



The six entities demanded that Naver recognize special incentives as part of base wages, incorporate them into annual salaries, and apply reasonable wage increases. Studio Rico has already seen its wage negotiations break down this year, while the other five entities failed to reach agreement on wage and collective bargaining talks. All six companies have since obtained the legal right to strike after mediation procedures through the Regional and Central Labor Relations Commissions.



The Naver union previously held a rally on August 11 demanding wage and collective bargaining agreements. However, with little progress, it escalated its action on August 27.



Following the passage of the Yellow Envelope Law on August 24, which redefines the legal scope of an “employer” to include entities that exercise substantial and concrete control over subcontracted workers’ conditions, the union argues that Naver must now engage in direct negotiations with its subsidiaries and affiliates.



Since its establishment in 2018, the Naver union has consistently called for integrated bargaining on wages and benefits between the parent company and its affiliates. However, Naver has refused, insisting on negotiations at the individual corporate level.



O Se-yoon, head of the Naver union branch, stated: “Naver operates under a 100% subsidiary structure with control over HR and business operations. The company cannot evade responsibility as the actual employer determining the working conditions of employees across its six subsidiaries.”

 

 

 

[ⓒ 알파경제. 무단전재-재배포 금지]