NEWS

Kwon Oh-gap, HD Hyundai Chairman, met with foreign employees working at a shipyard and delivered words of encouragement and support.

HD Hyundai announced on March 27 that the Chairman and top executives convened a luncheon, inviting foreign workers to a VIP reception hall within the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Headquarters. 

The event was attended by 42 foreign workers from 7 countries such as Vietnam and Uzbekistan who work at the partner companies of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD). Also, top executives from HD Hyundai's shipbuilding affiliates accompanied the Chairman including HHI Presidents Lee Sang-kyun and Noh Jin-yul, and HMD President Kim Hyung-kwan. 

During the luncheon, the Chairman listened to the suggestions of foreign workers over a meal and gave empathy for the challenges of expatriate life. 

The foreign workers expressed their gratitude, saying that their adaptation was much easier thanks to the company’s various support measures, such as language assistance for daily life and administrative matters, and Korean language training to enhance their understanding of their jobs.

HHI established an in-house ‘Foreigner Support Center’ for the first time in the industry and has stationed interpreters to help them communicate in eight languages. It also offers a global menu catering to those who cannot eat Korean food or certain ingredients due to dietary preferences and religious requirements.  

Furthermore, the company has placed a special focus on the safety of foreign workers by producing and distributing safety training materials in multiple languages and offering special safety training beyond legal requirements.

Chairman Kwon said, “The company will spare no efforts to ensure you can return to your families healthy and safe,” and urged to “work with the Safety Comes First mindset.” 

Among the participants, Rustamjon, an Uzbekistan national worker, said, “I am well aware that the company has made extensive efforts for foreign workers. I will also do my best to adapt successfully and help each other.”  

Meanwhile, HHI has also strived to remove prejudice and preconceptions about foreign workers. For instance, the company produced a musical titled ‘Tuya of the Shipyard’ which encapsulated the experiences of foreign workers in adapting themselves to life in Ulsan. HHI supported local residents to watch the musical for free as part of its efforts to be at the forefront of improving awareness of foreign workers.