The Gyeongnam Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union has condemned EM Korea, a defense and machine tool company in the province, for what it claims are unfair dismissals of workers.
On the afternoon of September 25, the Gyeongnam Branch of the Metal Workers' Union held a press conference in front of the Changwon branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, urging the withdrawal of the dismissals of nine workers at the EM Korea Haman Plant.
The union also called for a special labor inspection of the company by the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
The Metal Workers' Union Gyeongnam Branch is holding a press conference urging the reinstatement of nine workers dismissed from EM Korea Haman Plant. Photo by Lee Seryung
According to the union, on September 23, EM Korea notified nine workers at the Haman Plant of the termination of their contracts via email and text message.
The notification stated that the company had closed as of September 1 and that their employment contracts had ended as of September 2. However, the company only informed the workers of this on September 23.
The notice also included a warning that access to the workplace would be restricted and that unauthorized entry would result in civil and criminal liability.
The union criticized, "It is like a work of fiction that workers were dismissed three weeks ago but only notified now. This is the reality in 2025."
They pointed out, "In addition to these dismissals, 39 Haman Plant workers were transferred to Hyundai Wia Machine Tools and 10 were reassigned to the Changwon Plant. This is a unilateral restructuring without labor-management agreement."
They also argued, "At the end of last year, immediately after Shinhwajeonggong Group acquired the company, the purchasing manager was dismissed but was reinstated in August after being ruled unfairly dismissed by the Regional Labor Relations Commission. Yet, only a month later, nine more workers have been dismissed. This shows a habitual pattern of dismissals."
Email notifying the dismissal received by a worker at EM Korea Haman Factory. Provided by the Metalworkers' Union Gyeongnam Branch
EM Korea is a KOSDAQ-listed company with about 300 employees, operating plants in Haman and Changwon.
The company faced difficulties due to the sale of Hyundai Wia's machine tool business and the deteriorating profitability of the Haman Plant, which mainly did business with Wia Machine Tools. On August 29, the company announced via disclosure that production at the Haman Plant would be suspended as of September 1.
Previously, EM Korea had announced plans to spin off the Haman Plant and introduce a subcontractor management system. However, the workers insisted that their current working conditions be maintained and that they should have the option to remain with EM Korea.
Choi Jeongsik, head of the EM Korea union branch, said, "We established the branch in January, and after six months of struggle, we reached a collective bargaining agreement with the company in July." He added, "The agreement includes provisions guaranteeing employment, seniority, and the succession of the collective agreement for union members in the event of a change in affiliation, but the company is not honoring these commitments."
He stated, "The company has announced the closure, but the plant is still operating. Even dismissed workers are allowed access to the plant, but some are barred due to dismissal while others continue to work inside."
Choi said, "Of the approximately 60 workers at the Haman Plant, nine suddenly received dismissal notices just before Chuseok, and the remaining workers are anxious, not knowing when they might be dismissed." He demanded, "EM Korea must honor the collective bargaining agreement and immediately withdraw the unfair dismissals."
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