8 in 10 workers back broader labor protections for freelancers, platform workers

Nearly 8 in 10 workers supported a proposed system to more easily recognize freelancers and platform workers as employees, a survey showed. Workplace Gapjil 119 found 79 percent backing, with support at 78.8 percent among regular workers and 79.3 percent among irregular workers. The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea are seeking to pass related legislation by the end of the year. Critics, including Rep. Na Kyung-won, warned it could burden businesses and reduce freelance hiring.

The survey by Workplace Gapjil 119 covered 1,000 employed adults aged 19 and older nationwide from June 1 to 7.

Among respondents who supported the proposal, 78.5 percent said it should apply from the initial filing of a case with a labor office or labor relations commission.

Under the proposed system, freelancers and platform workers who effectively work as employees would be presumed to be employees, shifting the burden to companies to prove otherwise.

Independent contractors such as insurance agents, delivery workers, golf caddies and freelancers currently must prove that they qualify as employees to receive labor protections.

Published Sep 13, 2026 4:32 pm KST

A delivery rider delivers food in a restaurant district in Seoul, June 19, 2025. Newsis

Nearly 8 in 10 workers support a proposed system that would make it easier for freelancers and platform workers to gain legal recognition as employees, a survey showed, as new forms of work continue to expand.

A survey by Workplace Gapjil 119 found that 79 percent of respondents backed the proposed employment status presumption system, with little difference by employment status. Support stood at 78.8 percent among regular workers and 79.3 percent among irregular workers.

The survey, conducted from June 1 to 7, covered 1,000 employed adults aged 19 and older nationwide.

Among the 790 respondents who backed the proposal, 78.5 percent said the system should apply from the initial filing of a case with a labor office or labor relations commission, rather than only at the court stage, favoring broader application of the measure.

The proposed employee presumption system would allow freelancers and platform workers who effectively work as employees to be presumed as such, shifting the burden to companies to prove otherwise. The government and ruling Democratic Party of Korea are seeking to pass related legislation by the end of the year.

Under the current system, independent contractors such as insurance agents, delivery workers, golf caddies and freelancers must prove that they qualify as employees to receive labor protections. The proposed system would shift that burden of proof to employers.

The proposal, however, has raised concerns about the potential burden on businesses and unintended consequences for freelancers.

Rep. Na Kyung-won of the main opposition People Power Party has warned that the proposal could lead to widespread job losses among freelancers, arguing that companies may stop hiring them altogether to avoid potential legal risks.

Critics also warn that shifting the burden of proof to employers could expose businesses to greater legal and administrative burdens.

一项调查显示，近八成劳动者支持一项旨在更便捷地将自由职业者和平台工作者认定为雇员的制度提案。职场调查机构Gapjil 119发现，79%的受访者支持该提案，其中正式员工的支持率为78.8%，非正式员工的支持率为79.3%。韩国政府和执政的共同民主党正寻求在年底前通过相关立法。包括罗京元议员在内的批评人士警告称，该提案可能会加重企业的负担，并减少自由职业者的雇佣。

Workplace Gapjil 119 于 6 月 1 日至 7 日对全国 1000 名 19 岁及以上的就业成年人进行了调查。

在支持该提案的受访者中，78.5% 的人表示，该提案应该从向劳动部门或劳动关系委员会首次提交案件时起就适用。

根据拟议的制度，实际上像雇员一样工作的自由职业者和平台工作者将被推定为雇员，举证责任转移到公司身上，由公司来证明并非如此。

目前，保险代理人、送货员、高尔夫球童和自由职业者等独立承包商必须证明自己符合雇员资格才能获得劳动保护。

发布于2026年9月13日下午4:32（韩国标准时间）

2025年6月19日，一名外卖员在首尔的餐饮区送餐。（图片来源：Newsis）

一项调查显示，近 80% 的劳动者支持一项拟议的制度，该制度将使自由职业者和平台工作者更容易获得雇员的法律认可，而新的工作形式也在不断扩展。

Workplace Gapjil 119 的一项调查发现，79% 的受访者支持拟议的就业状况推定制度，不同就业状况人群的支持率差异不大。正式员工的支持率为 78.8%，非正式员工的支持率为 79.3%。

该调查于 6 月 1 日至 7 日进行，涵盖了全国 1000 名 19 岁及以上的就业成年人。

在 790 名支持该提案的受访者中，78.5% 的人表示，该制度应该从向劳动部门或劳动关系委员会首次提交案件开始适用，而不仅仅是在法庭阶段适用，他们赞成更广泛地应用该措施。

拟议的雇员推定制度将允许把实际上以雇员身份工作的自由职业者和平台工作者推定为雇员，从而将举证责任转移到公司身上，要求其证明并非如此。韩国政府和执政的共同民主党正寻求在年底前通过相关立法。

在现行制度下，保险代理人、送货员、高尔夫球童和自由职业者等独立承包商必须证明自己符合雇员资格才能享受劳动保护。拟议的制度将把举证责任转移到雇主身上。

然而，该提案引发了人们对可能给企业带来负担以及对自由职业者造成意想不到的后果的担忧。

主要反对党国民力量党的议员罗京元警告说，该提案可能会导致自由职业者大范围失业，她认为公司可能会为了避免潜在的法律风险而完全停止雇用他们。

批评人士还警告说，将举证责任转移到雇主身上可能会使企业面临更大的法律和行政负担。