Hanwha Ocean Rejects Union Demand to Reverse Safety-Related Discipline

The Korean Metal Workers’ Union’s South Gyeongsang branch said it held a protest rally with the Hanwha Group Labor Union Council at 2 p.m. in November last year in front of Hanwha Group headquarters in Janggyo-dong, Seoul. Participants chant slogans. [Photo=Hanwha Ocean union branch]

Hanwha Ocean said it will not accept what it called improper union demands to reverse discipline tied to workplace safety, as disputes over the issue intensify following the implementation of the so-called Yellow Envelope Act, a revision to labor law.

Industry officials said Hanwha Ocean issued a statement on the 7th regarding the Korean Metal Workers’ Union’s Hanwha Ocean branch demand to withdraw disciplinary action, saying it “cannot accept any demand that undermines safety principles at worksites.”

Hanwha Ocean previously decided to suspend three employees for one month, saying they failed to follow safety rules and directly contributed to accidents that occurred at its Geoje facility in February and March.

The union has continued holding rallies at the site calling for the suspensions to be rescinded. It was also reported that on April 28 union members entered the head of manufacturing’s office and removed items including laptops, tablet PCs and phones.

Hanwha Ocean said those involved in the accidents were found to have violated safety rules, including breaching crane signaling standards, leaving their work area without authorization during operations, failing to follow safety controls and not sharing a crane movement route that had been provided in advance.

The company said two injured workers remain hospitalized at rehabilitation facilities and were reported to have received assessments indicating a labor capacity loss rate close to 100%.

Hanwha Ocean said the one-month suspensions were imposed through proper procedures after convening a personnel committee, based on its collective bargaining agreement and work rules. The company said it has a duty to prevent similar accidents and that discipline is a minimum measure to protect industrial safety.

“Demanding the withdrawal of discipline by going beyond the rules, regardless of who is involved, cannot be justified for any reason,” the company said, adding it will not yield to “any coercion or pressure” that threatens employees’ lives and safety.

Kim Seong-hui, a professor at Korea University’s Graduate School of Labor Studies, said the union may believe the company interpreted the incidents in a way favorable to itself without fully disclosing information. He said a thorough investigation that includes workers is needed on the causes and responsibility, and that the causal link to the accidents should be closely examined before discipline is imposed.

* This article has been translated by AI.

SHIN JIA