Homeplus' permanent job deal

Homeplus CEO Lim Il-soon, left, shakes hands with Korea Mart Labor Union Homeplus chapter head Joo Jae-hyun after they signed this year's wage deal at the discount chain's headquarters in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Monday. Under the deal, the company's 12,000 contract workers will be granted permanent employment status, and a 7.2 percent salary increase. The discount chain is run by Homeplus Corp. and Homeplus Stores, and the latter's union is also in separate negotiations over giving regular jobs to contract workers. Courtesy of Homeplus