[Unofficial translation provided by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

“Orion referred to prosecutors for unfair labour practices”, 17 July 2025

Orion, which was fined seven years ago for unfair labour practices involving union suppression, has once again been referred to the prosecution for similar violations. Workers are calling for severe punishment.

According to the union, Orion began pressuring union members to withdraw their membership shortly after the Orion branch of the union was established in April 2015. The company allegedly used mid-level managers to coerce members. At a press conference, participants stated, “There was a miracle where the second union, which had about 60 members for 20 years, suddenly jumped to 373 members in a single day,” and explained that “managers forcibly enrolled workers and even had the company pay their union fees.”

Orion also reportedly subjected members of the original union branch to punitive measures, including demotions. By March 2017, the branch was on the verge of collapse with only three members remaining. The union filed a complaint with the Ulsan Regional Labour Relations Commission, which recognised the unfair labour practices in July 2017. In 2018, the Ulsan District Court imposed a fine on the employer. However, the same behaviour is reported to have continued since.

Lawmaker Jung Hye-kyung commented, “It is outrageous to hear that unfair labour practices have been repeated consistently for ten years,” and urged the company to “end these criminal acts, reflect sincerely, apologise, and engage in good faith dialogue.”