Typology of Non-regular Workers’ Struggles for Employment Security Based on the Internal Solidarity, External Network Density and Resources

This study classifies and analyses the struggles of non-regular workers in South Korea for employment security and equality with regular workers. The increase in non-regular workers in South Korea was accompanied by an increase in the volume and volatility of their confrontations with employers. Unlike the collective actions of regular workers, those of non-regular or subcontracted workers tend to be long-term, extreme and unorganised. Using the multidimensional scaling technique and data from surveys and in-depth interviews with union workers and representatives, this study identifies four main types of confrontational struggles by non-regular workers, namely institutionalised, externalised, substituted and fragmented struggles. The findings of the analysis reveal that regular workers contribute to the success of the collective actions of non-regular workers by providing resources, leadership and expertise in union activities. In addition to the support of regular workers, the findings also showed that the availability of resources is also important for sustaining their struggles.