Foreign workers flex rare collective clout at HD Hyundai over 'unfair' contract

About 200 foreign workers at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' (HHI) Ulsan shipyard joined a labor union in a rare collective move this month, after the company allegedly forced unfair labor contracts.

The dispute is one of the largest labor actions by foreign workers in Korea, drawing international solidarity and exposing how workers' ability to raise concerns can differ depending on whether they are directly employed by a company or by its subcontractors.

The collective union membership came in response to HHI's new wage system, which the company demanded workers sign in May.

The system cuts base pay by 170,000 won ($114) to 200,000 won and introduces a fixed overtime allowance based on 30 hours of monthly overtime, along with a performance-based pay scale.

It also makes meals, previously deducted from workers' pay, free of charge.

The Korean Metal Workers' Union (KMWU) said the new contract was deeply flawed and that workers were coerced into signing it through threats of contract non-renewal and being unable to find jobs at other companies.

About 320 of the roughly 1,600 foreign workers d ...