The Justice Party, a left-wing political party in South Korea, and the Korean Metal Workers' Union (KMWU) are urging the Ministry of Employment and Labor to open an investigation into allegations of unfair labour practices against South Korean tire maker Hankook Tire.
In a recent press conference, they argued, “Hankook Tire is the No.1 company when it comes to workplace accidents. Hankook Tire should ensure that workers get proper medical treatment and work in a safe working environment.”
Referring to data obtained from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, they pointed out, “Over the past 5 years, 330 Hankook Tire workers have officially suffered injuries at work --164 workers at the Daejeon plant, 148 at the Geumsan plant and 18 at its central research institute. Hankook has been ordered to take corrective actions in 67 cases and been fined over 1 billion won. And 14 cases have been taken up by courts.”
“Nevertheless, Hankook has recently taken disciplinary action against workers who claimed industrial injury disablement benefit. The company also submitted false statements of opinion to Korea Workers' Compensation &Welfare Service and retaliated against workers who applied for Industrial Disaster Victims' Medical Care in the form of unfavorable assignment of work.”
