Hyundai Motor Union: "We Will Eliminate Hiring Solicitation and Corruption"

Hyundai Motor Ulsan Plant Myeongchon Main Gate

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The Hyundai Motor Labor Union stated, "We will eradicate any illegal activities to prevent corruption during the recruitment of new employees and to ensure fairness."

In a press release issued on the 11th, the union said, "There can be no solicitation, pressure, coercion, bribery, or hospitality-related corruption in the hiring process." Hyundai Motor's labor union, considered the largest single workplace union in South Korea, publicly announced this policy amid numerous rumors surrounding the recruitment of new production workers. Earlier, the company and the union agreed during last year's collective bargaining to hire 400 new workers in the first half of this year and 300 in the second half.

Hyundai Motor production workers are highly preferred due to their high salaries and excellent welfare benefits. Long-term employees can receive up to a 30% discount on new car purchases, and retirees also enjoy a 25% discount. In past recruitment processes, rumors such as "you need connections" or "some candidates are already pre-selected" were rampant.

The union's unusual step of issuing a press release is due to the fact that this year marks the first time in 10 years that production workers will be hired, sparking various speculations. There have been precedents where brokers who arranged or recommended hires were punished.

The union warned, "We will use all means and methods to hold those involved in corruption legally accountable and severely punish them," emphasizing, "This is an opportunity to correct the past evils and nepotism related to hiring corruption involving company and union executives."

The company plans to announce the recruitment as early as next month and begin the formal hiring process. Despite a decreasing demand for manpower due to the shift to electrification, the company has not been able to implement restructuring and has responded by halting new hires and relying on natural attrition such as retirements. Frontline sites have consistently requested workforce replenishment due to aging staff, and this year, 700 new hires are planned.

The union stated, "We will establish transparency and fairness in the hiring process and strive to create a world of equal opportunity and non-discrimination for all citizens, while working to foster a more honest and upright labor environment."