Kia labor union asked to remove hereditary employment clause in agreement

Kia Corp.‘s production line [Photo provided by Kia]

South Korean automaker Kia Corp. has officially asked its labor union to remove a clause in the collective agreement that offers hiring favors to the children of long-serving employees.

According to a local media outlet on Tuesday, Kia sent a letter to the head of its labor union affiliated with the Federation of Korean Metal Workers’ Trade Unions under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on Monday.

Under the collective bargaining agreement signed by the management and union, the company should offer preferential advantage in the hiring process to one family member of a union member who died of illness while employed and the offspring of a retiree and long-serving employees of over 25 years over other candidates.

Kia’s move comes as the government earlier accused the clause related to hereditary employment a violation of the Constitution and employment laws that guarantee equal employment opportunities. The government has been calling for a correction since last year.

Kia management is known to have asked for a revision in the agreement to the labor union, noting that the hereditary employment practice can pose a risk to the company and the union.