Doosan Group Chairman Park Yong Maan Orders Affiliate Doosan Infracore To Exclude New Workers From Voluntary Retirement

Doosan Group chairman, Park Yong Maan, has ordered its affiliate to keep out new employees from company-wide voluntary retirement. Korea Joongang Daily reported Thursday that Doosan Infracore has been shedding new workers in their 20s and 30s, as well as those who are working in the company for less than six months.

Amid retirement method, Park called on Doosan Infracore to exclude young workers from their plan.

"I ordered the affiliate to provide methods to protect newly hired workers from the restructuring," Park told reporters. "I heard from my staff that the company needs to carry out a voluntary resignation program as the construction machinery industry is in an unexpected slump, but I ordered them not to include new workers."

He added that "though [Doosan Infracore] is facing severe financial strains, new employees will not be subject to the retirement scheme," as noted by Korea Herald Dec. 16.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Doosan Infracore said that "the chairman took the decision on grounds that it is too harsh to ask employees who have been with the firm for only 1-2 years to leave."

Reports have revealed that the company-wide voluntary retirement started on December 8 in order to trim down the number of employees which is part of the company's efforts to restructure the company to cut costs and decrease debt.

In line with this, the construction equipment manufacturer claimed the retirement is totally voluntary.

"Whether they want to stay or leave is entirely up to the employees," an official said.

A spokesman from the company also said, "It was unavoidable to call for voluntary resignations from young workers since many older and higher-ranking position employees already left the company through a retirement program."

Despite claims, an employee from the company revealed he was reportedly pressured by his boss to voluntarily quit his job.

"My boss called me several times this morning and pressured me to voluntarily resign - while the TV news was saying the chairman ordered the company to protect newly hired workers," said 30-year-old employee surnamed Yoon. "Since this is my third year working here, I don't think I will be rescued."