The Ministry of Employment and Labor has selected 41 companies this year for their exemplary labor-management culture. These companies have achieved organizational integration and employment stability through dialogue and cooperation, despite challenges such as conflicts with multiple unions, industrial transitions, and management crises.
On July 10, the ministry announced that it had chosen 14 small businesses, 15 large corporations, and 12 public sector entities as the '2026 Excellent Labor-Management Culture Companies.' A total of 112 companies applied nationwide, and the final selections were made after regional evaluations and case presentations.
This year, the number of public sector selections increased from eight last year to twelve. The ministry explained that this aims to strengthen the responsibilities and roles of public sector employers as exemplary users.
Notably, the focus of labor relations is shifting from merely avoiding disputes to ensuring employment stability, sharing performance, reducing gaps between primary and subcontractors, and responding to industrial transitions. Cases that resolved potentially contentious issues, such as energy transitions and organizational restructuring, were included in the list.
For instance, EWPS, a maintenance service provider for power facilities, has maintained seven consecutive years of autonomous negotiations and no disputes since its establishment in 2018, even in an environment with seven sites and five competing unions. The company has distributed profit-sharing bonuses to all employees, funded by improved financial structures, and has also established a joint labor-management committee to prepare for energy transitions.
Dongwon Metal, an automotive parts manufacturer, managed to stabilize employment without forced restructuring during a period of significant accumulated losses and the COVID-19 pandemic. The union accepted a temporary suspension of welfare benefits and wage deferrals, while the company promised job security, leading to a normalization of operations. Subsequently, the company expanded welfare expenses and rewarded employees with the largest operating profit in its history.
Hyolim Industrial directly employed 120 subcontracted workers last May to address issues of differing working conditions and a lack of belonging stemming from a subcontracting-focused operational structure. Busan Urban Corporation faced conflicts related to job types and multiple unions after a merger but achieved integration of a single union and general positions through a labor-management agreement.
Selected companies will receive benefits such as exemption from regular labor inspections, deferral of tax audits, and preferential loan rates for the next three years. Companies recognized as excellent in labor-management culture from 2024 onward will also qualify to apply for the Labor-Management Culture Award.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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