Gwangju City Council's Policy Questions... "Need to Create a Forum for Dialogue"
Gwangju Global Motors (GGM), which started as the nation's first win-win job model, is facing its first strike crisis, prompting calls for Gwangju City to take proactive measures.
Chae Eun-ji, Vice Chairperson of the Gwangju City Council (Democratic Party, proportional representation), stated during a city administration inquiry on the 16th, “GGM is a win-win job company involving the central government, Gwangju City, Hyundai Motor Company, the labor-management-government council, local communities, and numerous companies to revitalize the regional economy and create jobs,” emphasizing, “All stakeholders must strive for social dialogue to ensure it does not become a failed job model.”
Vice Chairperson Chae particularly raised concerns about Gwangju City's commitment to agreement implementation and promotion, criticizing the operation of the two pillars of the Gwangju-type job promotion system: the Gwangju Economic Promotion Win-Win Job Foundation and the labor-management-government council.
She pointed out, “All eight projects related to the Gwangju-type job promoted by the foundation have low progress rates, the role of the existing Win-Win Job Foundation has virtually disappeared, and neither workers nor employers affiliated with GGM are included in the labor-management-government council operated by the city. Although a mediation committee is supposed to be established within the council to prevent labor disputes, it has not been implemented.”
She criticized, “While GGM pays half the wages, the social wages promised by Gwangju City through the win-win agreement are not being properly upheld. Several projects such as the Labor-Management Co-Growth Support Center, the Bitgreen Industrial Complex open gymnasium, and the construction of access roads have been delayed or poorly constructed, preventing even their opening.”
Questions also followed regarding the standards and perceptions for determining appropriate wages at GGM. Vice Chairperson Chae stated, “GGM management and Gwangju City claim they have kept their promise with an average starting annual salary of 37 million won for workers, but this amount includes temporarily paid special incentives and housing support fees, which are part of social wages,” accusing them of “deceptively lying to local youth.”
She further urged, “Gwangju City, Hyundai Motor Company, the central government, shareholders, and local communities must not stand by during GGM’s current crisis. Everyone should actively respond to resolve the issue, and especially Gwangju City must take the lead.”
Meanwhile, the GGM labor union conducted a strike authorization vote on the 7th among 222 branch members, with 202 participating and 190 voting in favor of the strike. If the labor and management sides fail to reach a mediation agreement at the adjustment meeting hosted by the Jeonnam Regional Labor Relations Commission on the 17th, a catastrophic outcome cannot be ruled out.
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