Park Jin-hai primarily focuses on K-dramas, entertainment shows and actor interviews. Beyond that, she also pens articles covering the broader arts scene, with a particular emphasis on classical music, dance and various aspects of lifestyle. Since joining The Korea Times in 2013, she has made significant contributions in the realms of hallyu (Korean wave), industry news and international affairs.
Hyundai union wants to influence production amount
By Park Jin-hai
The trade union at Hyundai Motor will demand that the company consult with labor before it decides on its overseas production levels.
“Management should immediately review the possibility of establishing new plants here,” the union said on Wednesday. “It also should agree with the union on the volume of production of its domestic and global markets.”
It is the first time the labor union has made such a demand. Union leaders will soon discuss the demand with management once the union makes a final decision on the agenda.
Hyundai has been increasing production in its overseas markets while cutting local production, upping the sense of insecurity for employment among union members.
The percentage of domestic production in Hyundai’s global output has plunged in recent years. It plummeted to 37.9 percent last year, from 94.5 percent in 2001. It has been forecast to drop to 28 percent by 2020.
According to labor’s production survey, Hyundai has plants in China, the United States, Brazil, India, Czech Republic, Turkey and Russia. It said out of its 5 million units in annual production, the company produces 1.9 million units here and 3.1 million in overseas factories.
The union also demanded that before any cutbacks are made, the company should dispose of non-essential assets, meaning that Hyundai should first sell the KEPCO site it purchased in September.
The union also requested that the retirement age be extended to 65.
“This year’s wage talk will focus on providing job security and extending the retirement age,” said Eum Kyo-su, a labor spokesman.
The union also wants a 159,900 won hike in monthly pay and bonuses that amount to 30 percent of the company’s net profit, the mainstays of its annual wage talks. In addition, it requested that an “8 plus 8 daytime shift” be adopted from this year.
Hyundai said that it was not in a position to comment because talks with the labor union were ongoing.
Netizens criticized labor’s requests. “The productivity of a Hyundai worker is one-third of his Japanese counterparts, and half of European workers. But labor cost is close to the workers of German carmakers,” said a person using the id deep****. Another commented, “Shameful it is that the conglomerate’s union is engrossed in fattening its wallets, while most…are struggling to make ends meet.”