GGM Pledges Commitment to Win-Win Cooperation and Fulfilling Social Promises

Gwangju Global Motors recently emphasized that, amid growing concerns following the establishment of a labor union and its reorganization under the Korean Metal Workers' Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, it will comply with the win-win development agreement to become a model company for mutual growth.

On the 2nd, Gwangju Global Motors stated, "We will establish a corporate culture of coexistence and cooperation and secure the highest quality competitiveness to ensure the successful mass production of the Casper electric vehicle by July 15."

The Casper electric vehicle represents the greatest opportunity for Gwangju Global Motors to pioneer a new overseas market and take a significant leap forward, and it is expected to have the most decisive impact on the company's future.

Confident in the success of the electric vehicle currently in trial production, Gwangju Global Motors is making thorough preparations to increase production volume, expand the market, and extend to a two-shift system next year.

In addition, Gwangju Global Motors clarified the facts regarding claims made by some participants at a recent press conference held by the Korean Metal Workers' Union Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch and statements distributed in union-produced internal leaflets.

First, Gwangju Global Motors refuted the claim that young workers have no future and that the starting salary for on-site workers is 29.4 million KRW, stating that the facts are entirely different. A company official explained that the first-year starting salary for technical staff, including housing support and incentive bonuses, is about 37.48 million KRW, which is approximately 8 million KRW higher than the union's claim.

In fact, a third-year technical staff member, Mr. A, earns about 40.17 million KRW annually, including wages, social wages such as housing support, and special incentive bonuses provided by the company. Another employee, Mr. B, in his fourth year, earns approximately 49 million KRW.

The housing support provided by Gwangju City is paid monthly at 272,000 KRW and will increase to 300,000 KRW starting in July. The special incentive bonus is 3.9 million KRW annually and is paid to all employees.

The official stated, "Because the union's claim about the starting salary differs significantly from the actual wages, we had no choice but to disclose some wage details to correct the facts."

Regarding claims that mobile phones are forcibly collected and that on-site control is pervasive, the company explained, "Due to the constant risk of safety accidents such as forklift movement and material transport in the workplace, mobile phones are required to be placed in designated areas during work to prevent safety accidents."

On allegations of unfair labor practices, the company stated that it complies with legal procedures and that no unfair labor practices have occurred. It also denied claims that the company avoided meetings with the corporate union and initial collective bargaining sessions, stating that it has responded legally and appropriately.

Regarding claims of high turnover rates due to young workers leaving, the company reported that the turnover rate at Gwangju Global Motors was 7.9% last year, lower than the 8.6% rate at large corporations. The overall corporate average was 13.8%, and for small and medium-sized enterprises, it was 14.9%. Among departing employees, 61% moved to large corporations, 7% to public institutions, and 32% to small and medium-sized enterprises.

A Gwangju Global Motors official said, "It is true that concerns among shareholders and citizens have increased recently as our company formed a labor union and joined the Metal Workers' Union," but added, "The company will sincerely engage within the framework of the law if there are negotiation requests."

He continued, "Gwangju Global Motors is the nation's first win-win job creation company born from a grand compromise among labor, management, government, and the local community to create good jobs in Gwangju. Therefore, the labor-management win-win development agreement reached here is the foundation and basis for the establishment and continuation of our company and its future. Regardless of any difficulties, we will strictly adhere to and comply with the win-win development agreement and succeed in the mass production of the Casper electric vehicle this July, laying the groundwork for a new leap forward so that citizens can trust us and we can establish ourselves as a win-win job creation company."