Evidence suggests that Han Young is owned by Hyundai and was created by Hyundai in order to distance itself from labor troubles a common scam along the border region. Whatever the financial linkage between Han Young and Hyundai, the feeder plant produces only for Hyundai. Under Mexican law, that makes Hyundai responsible for any violations of the labor code by its contractor. Troubles abound at Han Young. Health and safety concerns include disabling of safety systems on dangerous equipment, inadequate to nonexistent protective gear and lack of ventillation.
Workers report loss of fingers and hands, damage to vision and lead poisoning.
But the core issue at Han Young is whether workers will be represented by the union of their choice. Han Young workers had never had an opportunity to elect CROC leadership, have never been consulted by the CROC and usually see CROC representatives only when they show up for their check from factory management. Whatever labor agreements the Han Young workers operate under are negotiated in secret sweetheart deals between management and CROC operatives. The FAT is challenging the PRI union system elsewhere in Mexico as well. The FAT recently aided the formation of a new independent umbrella labor organization, most of whose 130 affiliated unions have begun to break away from the government machine.