The Ulsan office of the Ministry of Employment and Labor raided the Ulsan headquarters of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in connection with allegations of unfair labor practices.
About 20 labor supervisors from the ministry visited theHHI headquarters at 7:30 a.m. to secure labor-related documents and computer bodies.
An official from the ministry said, "We conducted a search and seizure to see if the management had managed the union members and intervened in the labor union elections.
The ministry plans to analyze the seized data and summon those involved. It was revealed recently that HHI management divided the union membership status into five levels and focused on managing the top three steps favorable to the company, while the ministry launched an internal investigation.
The labor union went on strike on Nov. 20, demanding an apology from the management and a prevention of recurrence. It plans to continue its partial strike until Nov. 23. A union official said, "There are circumstantial evidences that the management is trying to cover up the case and preparing for the ministry's investigation. We will decide on the level of the struggle considering the overall progress, including apology from the company and punishment of the responsible staff."
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Meanwhile, HHI President Ka Sam-hyun said on Nov. 22, "We will grasp the actual contents and take proper action. We have not received a detailed report of what the raids were. After conducting an internal investigation to some extent, it is understood that some working-level officials had such problems. I'll take action after grasping the fact.