Hyundai's Recruitment of New Manufacturing Workers Creates Buzz

Automaker Hyundai is going to hire manufacturing workers for the first time in a decade, triggering frenzied competition for some of the best-paid jobs in the country.

During last year's wage negotiations, labor and management agreed to recruit a total of 700 new manufacturing staff this year -- 400 in the first half and 300 in the second. 

Hyundai last hired 100 new manufacturing staff in 2013. The new jobs will be open to anyone regardless of age, academic major and education level. 

One 33-year-old employee of a public corporation said, "Even though it's a manufacturing job, I want to work in a place with a high salary and welfare benefits such as child tuition and healthcare assistance." 

And a 31-year-old office worker said, "Many of my colleagues are only waiting for Hyundai's official job announcement because of the benefits."  

Social media are buzzing with posts from white-collar workers who would jump at the chance of a manufacturing job at Hyundai. 

One civil servant said he is planning to apply for a Hyundai job. "My workload is heavy and the pension benefits aren't as good as before." 

Tired of nighttime shifts, meanwhile, a firefighter wrote, "I want a manufacturing job at Hyundai, where I can work just two daytime shifts." 

At least 100,000 applicants are expected. Hyundai's assembly line workers are paid an average salary of W96 million a year (US$1=W1,260). 

They can work until they are 60 and then continue for another year on a contract basis. They are eligible for discount of up to 30 percent on a Hyundai car and a 25 percent lifetime discount after working there for more than 25 years.