Hanwha Excludes Subcontracted Workers from Chairman's 'Health Food' Gift, Sparking Discrimination Claims

Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn treated all company employees to a special "health food set" for Malbok, the hottest day of summer, using 3 billion won of his personal funds. However, subcontracted workers at Hanwha Ocean and other Hanwha affiliates were excluded from this gesture, sparking accusations of discrimination.

The Metalworkers' Union's Gyeongnam branch held a press conference denouncing Chairman Kim's actions, stating that subcontracted workers face harsh conditions, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in the shipyards where they work. "Subcontracted workers are risking their lives every day," said Kim Il-sik, head of the union's Gyeongnam branch. He also highlighted that on the same day the chairman distributed the health food, some subcontracted workers experienced delayed wage payments.

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Subcontracted workers are risking their lives every day.

While Hanwha Group announced that the gift package, including samgyetang, galbitang, and seolleongtang, was intended for all 69,000 employees and their families, subcontracted workers were left out. Kang In-seok, head of the Gyeongnam branch's shipbuilding subcontracted workers' chapter at Hanwha Ocean, pointed out that subcontracted workers constitute 80% of production and are responsible for most of the company's expected 2 trillion won operating profit this year. "We are not just asking for a bowl of samgyetang, but we have endured countless discriminations," he stated, citing lower wages, minimal benefits, and unstable employment compared to direct employees.

In response to the perceived discrimination and wage delays, the union plans to send a similar "health food set" to Chairman Kim's home, representing the excluded subcontracted workers. This incident also comes as Hanwha Ocean is contesting a decision by the Central Labor Relations Commission that recognizes subcontracted workers as employees, a move that would necessitate direct negotiations. Hanwha Ocean has filed an administrative lawsuit and requested an injunction against this decision, marking a significant legal battle over labor relations.

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We are not just asking for a bowl of samgyetang, but we have endured countless discriminations. We receive half the wages, have almost no benefits, and our employment is unstable.