Hanwha Ocean Responds to Subcontractor Union’s High-Altitude Protest: "Illegal Occupation...Will Act in Accordance With Law and Principles"

Subcontractor Branch Stages Second Day of High-Altitude Protest Demanding Direct Bargaining
Hanwha Ocean States "Willing to Immediately Respond to Separate Negotiations"
Awaiting Court Ruling on Welliv Branch Employment Status

As Hanwha Ocean subcontracted workers have begun a high-altitude sit-in protest demanding collective bargaining with the primary contractor, Hanwha Ocean has defined the protest as an "illegal occupation" and announced it will respond in accordance with laws and principles.

A subcontracted worker at Hanwha Ocean has climbed a tower crane and started a high-altitude protest. Photo by Yonhap News.

On October 1, Hanwha Ocean issued a statement saying, "We consider the current high-altitude sit-in to be an illegal occupation that cannot be acknowledged as part of legitimate industrial action, regardless of any bargaining obligations."

Six members of the union, including Kang Inseok, head of the Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Subcontractor Branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union, began the protest at 12:30 p.m. the previous day by climbing onto the roof of the preliminary painting plant and the system scaffold assembly crane within the Hanwha Ocean site in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. The union is demanding direct bargaining with Hanwha Ocean following the implementation of the revised Trade Union Act.

Hanwha Ocean maintains that it is not refusing negotiations with the Subcontractor Branch. The company stated it has repeatedly expressed its willingness to negotiate and said that, excluding the Welliv Branch, it would immediately respond if the Subcontractor Branch proceeded with negotiations alone.

The main point of contention is the obligation to negotiate with the Welliv Branch. The Welliv Branch is a union composed of subcontracted workers responsible for tasks such as catering and facility management at the Hanwha Ocean worksite. The Central Labor Relations Commission and other authorities have determined that Hanwha Ocean qualifies as the employer for the Welliv Branch. However, Hanwha Ocean has contested this and filed for administrative litigation and an injunction. Both sides are now awaiting a decision from the Seoul Administrative Court.

Hanwha Ocean stated, "This is to seek a clear court ruling on the scope in which primary contractors are considered employers of subcontractor employees," and added, "If the court rules that there is a bargaining obligation, we will respect the decision and follow the necessary procedures."

The company also pointed out safety concerns resulting from the high-altitude protest. Hanwha Ocean asserted, "Continuing a high-altitude protest at a shipyard where large structures and heavy machinery are constantly operating threatens the safety of both participants and their colleagues on site and could have a serious impact on regular business operations."

The company further emphasized its efforts to improve the treatment of partner company employees. Hanwha Ocean ensured that at the beginning of this year, performance bonuses had been paid to about 10,000 partner company workers at the same rate as direct employees, totaling 89 billion won. Additionally, the company withdrew a 47 billion won damages claim previously initiated by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering against the Subcontractor Branch.

Hanwha Ocean stated, "While we will continue our efforts to improve the treatment and promote mutual growth of partner company employees, we will respond firmly in accordance with the law and principles against illegal actions and any threats to safety," urging an end to the protest and a return to work.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.