The Solution to Escalating University Worker Conflicts Is Direct Employment

Yonsei University Student "Violation of Learning Rights" Lawsuit
Korea University Cleaning and Security Workers' Sit-in
University-Contractor Primary and Subcontractor Structure
Resolution Through Direct Employment at Kyung Hee University and Others

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The issue of improving the treatment of on-campus workers is escalating into a conflict among current students, alumni, and the university community.

The noise controversy surrounding the on-campus workers' rally at Yonsei University was triggered by criminal complaints filed by three current students. In May, Yonsei University’s cleaning and security workers held a rally on campus demanding a wage increase and the installation of shower facilities, claiming that the rally infringed on their right to study. The students filed complaints with the Seodaemun Police Station in Seoul and also filed a lawsuit at the Seoul Western District Court seeking damages worth approximately 6.38 million KRW. In response, other students collected signatures in solidarity with the workers' rally and held press conferences supporting them.

When this became known, 2,373 Yonsei University alumni issued a statement on the 13th saying, "As alumni, we cannot hide our deep sorrow and shame over the fact that some current students have filed complaints against on-campus workers," and urged the university to come up with countermeasures.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At Korea University, issues concerning on-campus workers have also surfaced. Since March, Korea University’s cleaning and security workers have been demanding improved treatment from the university administration under conditions similar to those of Yonsei University workers. Since the 6th, they have been occupying the main building and conducting an overnight sit-in protest. Subsequently, some current students held a press conference calling for a resolution and announced their intention to stay at the protest site.

Current students and alumni from each university point out that "the conflict arises from the principal-subcontractor structure, where the university administration does not directly employ the workers but contracts with service companies." The legal representatives for Yonsei University’s cleaning workers stated, "The subcontracting company has no power to decide the service fees or working conditions; these issues can be resolved by the principal contractor, Yonsei University, which determines the service fees." In the case of Dongguk University, after directly employing 97 cleaning workers in 2018, conflicts such as on-campus rallies have disappeared. Previously, Kyung Hee University also directly employed about 200 on-campus workers in 2017.

This conflict may be resolved through political mediation. On the 13th, Democratic Party lawmakers Woo Won-sik and Kim Sung-hwan, both Yonsei University alumni, visited the university’s labor union office and stated, "Structural tasks to change indirect employment are important, and we will work on immediate issues such as wage increases and the installation of shower facilities." They also announced plans to meet with Yonsei University President Seo Seung-hwan at 3 p.m. on the 18th to demand related countermeasures.

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