"Foreign workers flex rare collective clout at HD Hyundai over 'unfair' contract", 16 July 2026

About 200 foreign workers at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' (HHI) Ulsan shipyard joined a labor union….after the company allegedly forced unfair labor contracts...

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…that workers were coerced into signing it through threats of contract non-renewal and being unable to find jobs at other companies…

...HHI said the wage overhaul was meant to support workers' long-term employment and stable settlement in the region as part of broader improvements to overall treatment, including meals and housing.

Protest rallies have grown...calling for withdrawal of the contract, and an end to the pay cut and discriminatory treatment…

The company said it would stop deducting meal costs regardless of whether workers signed the new contract, refund meal deductions taken since January 2023 and introduce a new bonus system unrelated to performance evaluations...