Patrick
A new legal challenge in California is calling for the suspension of Hyundai vehicle sales across the state until the automaker makes substantial changes to its labor practices.
The case, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, accuses Hyundai and its affiliated companies of benefiting from a supply chain tainted by unsafe working conditions and unlawful labor practices in the southeastern United States.
Advocacy Group Pushes for Accountability
The lawsuit was brought by Jobs to Move America, a non-profit focused on promoting high-quality employment and ensuring public investments are made responsibly.
The suit names several entities as defendants, including Hyundai Motor America, Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Mobis, Glovis America, Kia America, and Kia Corporation.
Although the suit references labor issues connected to facilities in Georgia and Alabama, it does not name the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Bryan County as a defendant. However, Hyundai Motor Company remains its parent organization.
Allegations of Unethical Labor Practices
According to the complaint, Hyundai promoted itself to the State of California as a “socially responsible” company to obtain public contracts. However, the filing argues that the company depends on suppliers whose operations allegedly include unsafe working environments, leading to avoidable injuries and deaths.
The lawsuit further states that Hyundai has repeatedly tried to distance itself from these issues rather than fully addressing the alleged misconduct occurring within its supply chain. The plaintiffs argue that this pattern violates California’s Unfair Competition Law, ultimately placing law-abiding competitors at a disadvantage.
Claims of Misrepresentation and Supplier Abuse
The plaintiffs assert that Hyundai suppliers in Alabama and Georgia have engaged in “illegal and unethical” labor activities, ranging from hazardous working conditions to violations of basic labor rights.
The lawsuit cites incidents where employees reportedly suffered preventable harm, reinforcing claims that these workplaces are unsafe and improperly supervised.
Additionally, the suit accuses Hyundai of deliberately attempting to shift blame away from itself following public exposure of these alleged abuses. Despite being made aware of the violations, the lawsuit claims Hyundai failed to take adequate corrective action.
The legal action against Hyundai marks a significant escalation in ongoing concerns about labor standards within the company’s U.S. supply chain.
With allegations of unsafe workplaces, misrepresentation, and unfair competition, the lawsuit aims to halt Hyundai sales in California until systemic reforms are implemented.
As the case proceeds, it could influence how automakers manage oversight of supplier labor practices nationwide.