As the Hyundai Motor labor union expressed opposition to the introduction of the Humanoid Robot "Atlas," debate over the coexistence of people and robots in industrial worksites is expected to intensify. While labor groups feel a strong sense of crisis over potential job losses, expectations are also being raised that dangerous and high-intensity tasks could be replaced.
According to labor circles on the 23rd, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) have not issued separate wage and collective bargaining struggle guidelines to their member unions regarding the introduction of Humanoid Robot. The two umbrella groups have mainly focused their response on changes in work and employment impacts stemming from the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI).
◇ Will "robot response" be included in labor's wage and collective bargaining guidelines?
Some in labor circles say it won't be long before Humanoid Robot, the core of physical AI, becomes a topic in wage and collective bargaining. As early as this year, there is talk that wage and collective bargaining struggle guidelines could include content related to Humanoid Robot.
Hyundai Motor, which released that it would mass-produce the Humanoid Robot "Atlas" in 2028, is a representative example. The Hyundai Motor unit of the Korean Metal Workers' Union said in a newsletter the previous day, "If robots are deployed to the production line, employment shocks are expected," and added, "Keep in mind that not a single robot can enter the site without labor-management agreement."
Under the yellow envelope law, a new labor law aimed at strengthening the bargaining rights of subcontract workers (the revised Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act) that took effect in Mar., layoffs or job reassignments decided by corporations that cause substantial and concrete changes to worker status or working conditions are subject to collective bargaining. The introduction of Humanoid Robot is also a backdrop for it to emerge as a collective bargaining agenda item.
Kim Hee-seong, a professor at Kangwon National University Law School, said, "If robots are deployed in new plants, it may not be an issue," but added, "If robots are introduced into already operating plants to replace existing personnel, it is only natural that this becomes subject to collective bargaining, as it causes substantial changes in working conditions."
Park Ji-soon, a professor at Korea University Law School, also said, "Under the yellow envelope law or the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) administrative guidelines, if layoffs or reassignments are objectively expected, the relevant managerial decision can be subject to bargaining," adding, "The introduction of Humanoid Robot is highly likely to meet these requirements and could become a representative case included within the scope of labor disputes."
The outlook is that the introduction of Humanoid Robot will accelerate in other industrial worksites as well. IT market analysis firm Counterpoint Research said that about 16,000 additional Humanoid Robots were installed last year, and projected that the cumulative number of installations will exceed 100,000 in 2027. It particularly analyzed that logistics, manufacturing, and automobiles will account for more than 70% of annual installations.
However, within labor circles, there is considerable hesitation about reflecting this in struggle guidelines when the introduction of Humanoid Robot has yet to be concretized. A labor official said, "If we preemptively specify an issue with uncertain timing and scope, internal confusion may arise."
◇ Labor's "complex view" of humanoids... colleague vs. foe
The introduction of automation equipment and collaborative robots has already been steadily progressing across industries. Based on "robot density," meaning the number of robots per 10,000 workers, Korea has ranked No. 1 in the world since 2020.
However, unlike conventional industrial robots, which remained in a supporting role, Humanoid Robot can directly replace human tasks, fueling worker concerns.
A logistics company union official said, "Given the nature of worksites that run 24 hours a day, companies may find Humanoid Robot attractive," adding, "Frankly, we worry that hiring will be reduced that much."
An awareness survey conducted last month by the Korea Enterprises Federation, the Korea Labor Institute (KLI), and KBS of 3,277 workers nationwide also revealed such anxiety. Of respondents, 59% felt that "the pace of AI adoption is fast," and 62.9% said they felt "fear" of job loss or a loss of control.
Of course, there are also expectations that Humanoid Robot can take on dangerous tasks that are difficult for people to perform. A parcel delivery union official said, "Hub terminals are already largely equipped with automation facilities, so personnel are concentrated on loading and unloading," adding, "It is hard to view Humanoid Robot taking on high-intensity simple labor only negatively."