Kakao Mobility to Enter Collective Bargaining with National Substitute Driver Union (Comprehensive)

From the left, Jang Cheol-min, Democratic Party of Korea member of the National Assembly; Lee Dong-gyu, Vice President of Kakao Mobility; Kim Joo-hwan, Chairman of the National Substitute Driving Labor Union. Photo by Jang Cheol-min's office.

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] Kakao Mobility will recognize the National Substitute Driver Labor Union as a labor union and engage in collective bargaining.

On the morning of the 7th, Kakao Mobility and the National Substitute Driver Labor Union held a 'Declaration of Good Faith Negotiation' ceremony at the National Assembly under the mediation of Jang Cheol-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Kakao Mobility had previously refused the union's request for collective bargaining. Kakao Mobility and the Kakao community have recently faced criticism for their sprawling expansion and market monopoly. Kakao affiliates have also been targeted in the recent National Assembly audit. In response to this public sentiment, Kakao Mobility has recently shown proactive moves, such as signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kakao Taxi Franchise Council.

According to the agreement disclosed that day, Kakao Mobility will recognize the National Substitute Driver Labor Union as a labor union under the Labor Union Act and will sincerely engage in collective bargaining.

Additionally, Kakao Mobility agreed to withdraw the administrative lawsuit as soon as possible. Previously, Kakao Mobility filed an administrative decision cancellation lawsuit at the Seoul Administrative Court, arguing that the Central Labor Commission's disposition recognizing substitute drivers as workers under the Labor Union Act was unfair.

Furthermore, Kakao Mobility and the union plan to seek improvement measures, including the abolition of the 'Pro Service System,' a paid service for substitute drivers.

Representative Jang said, "Since the conflict over negotiation issues between Kakao Mobility and the National Substitute Driver Labor Union has been ongoing for a long time, it was important to establish a framework for implementing negotiations for coexistence, which is why I mediated this declaration ceremony," adding, "I will work to ensure that platform-leading companies like Kakao build an innovative social dialogue model and derive sustainable coexistence growth measures."

Kakao Mobility stated, "Since substitute drivers are important partners, we aim to achieve reform and coexistence for mutual growth," and added, "We will work together to improve the treatment of substitute drivers."

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