Hanwha Ocean regulates subcontract workers’ high-altitude sit-in as ‘illegal occupation’… expression of regret

(Geoje = Yonhap News) Reporter Jeong Jong-ho = On the 1st, the second day since Hanwha Ocean's subcontracted workers began a sit-in at high altitude while demanding collective bargaining with the main company, the company expressed regret, defining the high-altitude sit-in by subcontracted workers as an 'illegal occupation'.

Hanwha Ocean issued a press release on this day and said, "Apart from the obligation to negotiate, we determine that the high-altitude sit-in (by subcontracted workers) is an 'illegal occupation' that cannot be recognized as legitimate industrial action."

In addition, he explained, "Earlier this year, the company applied performance bonuses at the same rate as the main contractor employees, resulting in a total of 89 billion won in performance bonuses being paid to about 10,000 partner workers." He also explained, "The lawsuit for damages worth 47 billion won that Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering filed against the subcontractor branch in the past was also withdrawn at the grand victory level."

He continued, "Nevertheless, we are very sorry that the company is ignoring the process of seeking court judgment through normal procedures and is putting pressure on the company through the extreme method of illegal squatting."

Hanwha Ocean pointed out, "Continuing the high-altitude sit-in at a shipyard where large structures and heavy equipment are always in operation not only seriously threatens the safety of the participants and their colleagues on site, but can also have a significant impact on the operation of the workplace."

He continued, "Efforts for coexistence and response to illegal acts are separate issues," and added, "The company will continue its efforts to improve the treatment of workers at partner companies and coexistence, but will respond strictly in accordance with laws and principles against illegal acts and actions that threaten safety."

He added, “We urge the sit-in participants to stop further dangerous and illegal actions and return to the site safely.”

At around 12:30 p.m. the previous day, six union members, including Kang In-seok, president of the Geoje Tongyeong Goseong Shipbuilding and Subcontracting Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union, began a sit-in protest by climbing onto the roof of the Seondeon Painting Plant and the system scaffold assembly crane at the Hanwha Ocean plant in Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do.

The union said, “If the Ministry of Employment and Labor cannot enforce primary contract negotiations, subcontracted workers will have no choice but to fight to secure and win primary contract negotiations,” and added, “It is deplorable that they must once again risk their lives for workers’ basic rights.”

Previously, the union was requesting collective bargaining from the main contractor as the revised labor union law, known as the 'yellow envelope law', was implemented. Hanwha Ocean included subcontracting branches in announcing its request for negotiation, but excluded the Wellive branch, which also requested negotiation.

The Wellive Branch is a union made up of workers from subcontractors in charge of food service and facility management within Hanwha Ocean, and the National Labor Relations Commission and others have deemed Hanwha Ocean to be an 'employer' of the Wellive Branch.

Hanwha Ocean objected to this and applied to the court to suspend execution of the decision, and the labor and management are awaiting the decision of the Seoul Administrative Court.