Kia Motors engaged in special negotiations on 12 May with its subcontractors, the Kia Motors branch of the Korean Metal Workers Union, and Kia’s subcontractor unions. The negotiating parties concluded an agreement to resolve in-house subcontract issues.
Kia Motors agreed to directly hire a total of 465 in-house subcontracted workers: 200 this year and 265 next year. The workers will be placed in the direct manufacturing process.
Kia Motors made the agreement to resolve complex situations such as the ongoing 2nd trial of the lawsuit to recognize employment status* and differences in employment status between the workers, etc.
* 499 in-house subcontracted workers of Kia Motors filed a lawsuit in July 2011 against Kia Motors, demanding recognition as regular workers. In September 2014, the Seoul Central District Court ruled that “of the 499 subcontract workers, 468 can be regarded as employees hired directly by Kia Motors, and they have a right to demand direct employment from Kia Motors”.
Kia Motors labor and management also agreed to drop all lawsuits brought by the subcontracted workers who will be directly hired by Kia Motors through this agreement.