President Moon Jae-in talks to Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra, which owns Ssangyong Motor, during his visit to India, Tuesday. Yonhap |
By Oh Young-jin
Ssangyong Motor said Wednesday it would review demands by fired and laid-off workers following President Moon Jae-in's request to Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra, which owns Ssangyong.
"Since our chairman committed himself to a review, we will conduct one to find the best solution for both sides," its spokesman told The Korea Times. "But there appears little that can be done immediately."
The two met during Moon's visit to India.
"There are two demands: one is about rehiring the fired workers who number over 100 and, if not, a fixed schedule to hire over 1,000 workers who want to be rehired," the spokesman said.
Representatives of religions call for Ssangyong Motor to rehire its workers early this month after one committed suicide. Yonhap |
The official said that the two sides have agreed to hire them as work increases and the financial situation improves, but "now we have done our part as agreed but the situation is not good enough to positively accommodate President Moon's call." Negotiations at Ssangyong have been suspended since June.
Meanwhile, Moon told Mahindra: "There remain some problems despite the agreement between labor and the company. So please pay attention to it."
In reply, Mahindra reportedly said that the management in Seoul will resolve the problem well.
Mahindra has owned 70 percent of Ssangyong since 2011. One hundred twenty workers remain dismissed.