Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Hanwha Ocean Talks Stall as Workers Continue Sit-in
Hanwha Ocean and two groups of workers have yet to reach agreements on pay and working conditions at the company’s shipyard in Geoje, South Korea.
The regular workers’ union and the company held their 28th bargaining session, but remained divided over bonus rules and rehiring retired workers.
The union wants changes to bonuses and a longer rehire period, while the company says it is difficult to change the bonus system so soon and must consider staffing needs.
Subcontract workers are also seeking better terms, including the continuation of employment and working conditions and equal bonus payments.
Their union presented 36 demands at a second bargaining session, and the company said it would review them.
Workers from both groups are holding high-altitude sit-ins at the site and say they will continue until talks produce agreements.
The subcontract talks are due to resume on October 22, while the regular workers’ negotiations have not reached a settlement.
Talks between Hanwha Ocean and its direct and subcontracted workers have made little progress, while workers continue high-altitude sit-ins at the company’s Geoje site.
In the 28th round of talks with the direct employees’ union, the sides remained divided over the performance bonus system and the length of re-employment for retired workers.
The union wants to improve the bonus system and extend re-employment from one year to two, while the company says changes must account for its workforce needs.
A separate second round of talks between the company and subcontracted workers on October 15 also produced no agreement.
The subcontracted workers and company are due to meet again on October 22.
- Who
- Hanwha Ocean, its direct employees’ union and subcontracted workers’ unions.
- What
- Labor talks have stalled, while workers continue high-altitude sit-ins at the company site.
- When
- The latest direct-employee talks took place on October 16, 2026. A subcontractor negotiation was held on October 15.
- Where
- Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje site in South Korea.
- Why
- The sides disagree over pay and benefits, the performance bonus system, and re-employment for retired workers.
Hanwha Ocean workers’ unions
Hanwha Ocean management
Performance bonus system
Hanwha Ocean workers’ unions
The direct employees’ union wants changes so more company performance goes to workers.
Hanwha Ocean management
The company says it is difficult to change a system introduced through labor-management consultation less than two years ago.
Retired workers’ re-employment
Hanwha Ocean workers’ unions
The union wants the re-employment period extended from one year to two years.
Hanwha Ocean management
The company says it cannot accept an unconditional extension without considering production workforce needs.
Subcontracted workers’ demands
Hanwha Ocean workers’ unions
The subcontracted workers’ unions seek continuity of employment and working conditions, and equal performance bonuses.
Hanwha Ocean management
The company is reviewing their 36-point proposal and said it would respond at the next negotiation.
The subcontracted workers’ unions and the company held their second collective bargaining session.
Hanwha Ocean’s direct employees’ union held its 28th bargaining session with the company, but the sides did not narrow their differences.
The company and subcontracted workers’ unions are scheduled to hold their third bargaining session.
- Direct employees’ talks
- 28th round held October 16
- Subcontracted workers’ talks
- Second round held October 15
- Next subcontractor talks
- Scheduled for October 22 at 4 p.m.
- Direct employees’ pay demand
- 149,600 won increase in base pay and a 900% bonus
- Company’s third offer
- 138,689 won increase in base pay and 7.5 million won in one-time payments