[Editorial] Labor Ministry Ignoring Hyundai Labor Practices

Hyundai Motors was told by the Labor Ministry that its use of irregular workers is illegal, but instead of correcting the situation it continues the coercive behavior, which is why its irregular workers have been engaged in struggle for more than eight months. One worker has committed suicide at this point, and yet the management's approach remains unchanged. The authorities, however, continue to ignore what strictly speaking is illegal activity.

The issue with irregulars at Hyundai Motors is more than one that's simple labor-management conflict. Once the authorities find you to be illegally outsourcing you labor the demand that you correct the problem is extremely natural. Hyundai remains stubborn, however, and the workers struggle is becoming fiercer. When the struggle began and a union member attempted self-immolation, the company took an even tougher stance. The company's security guards even handed over the union's leader, who had been on company grounds, over to the police. The union says that 99 of its members have been fired.

It is shocking that Hyundai is refusing to talk about resolving its illegal labor outsourcing and still threatens to do things "by the law." Claiming that the union has cost it money it has filed a lawsuit demanding to be compensated some W200 billion and has even had the union's bank account temporarily frozen. Reportedly the mood right now is such that there might be another tragedy like the suicide of unionist Ryu Gi Hyeok.

All that and still the Labor Ministry just keeps repeating the principle about "self-resolution" in labor-management disputes. Its claim that "closing all the companies that illegally outsource labor could lead to massive job losses for workers" is of great concern because it is being interpreted as meaning it intends to keep watching from a distance. It is a clear dereliction of duty when the ministry is indifferent about illegal labor practices and a company is oppressing laborers. Who knows why the country even has a Labor Ministry. We again call it to assume a responsible approach.

The Hankyoreh, 10 September 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]