The game business circle is paying keen attention to how Nexon will improve its immediate tasks such as improving working culture as it established the labor union for the first time in the Korean game industry.
Nexon`s union, which was established on March 3, is also targeting Nexon Group`s subsidiaries and affiliates. "We should think about whether we have been protecting ourselves from unreasonable business orders and receiving the right labor costs," the union said.
"We will establish ourselves for a stable job security and a labor union that is not ashamed of our company, society and gamers," the union stressed.
Nexon's union, which was launched on March 3, is known to have had more than 300 members as of 4 p.m.
The issue that is drawing keen attention most on the establishment of the Nexon labor union is whether the game companies will seek the so-called "Work life balance."
Although the 52-hour workweek system took effect in July, the game industry has been criticized for its poor performance in real working hours and improving welfare.
In particular, game workers complained that the number of overtime hours and weekend commuting due to the "crunch mode" and the "comprehensive wage system" were frequent.
Nexon`s union declared on its Web site that it would be the first labor union in the game industry, becoming the starting point for improvement of labor rights at Nexon and its entire game industry.
It also stressed, “For this, we will create a better game-making and service environment by correcting IT workers` rights to abolish or improve the unreasonable system and to receive adequate compensation for efforts.”
The Nexon union also expressed its willingness to join hands with Naver`s labor union, which belongs to the chemical fiber & food union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.
In particular, Nexon's labor union makes it clear that it is not an individual union seeking the interests of Nexon and its affiliates but an industry-wide alliance, drawing attention to the future improvement of the working environment in the game industry.