[THE INVESTOR] Unionized workers at Hyundai Motor threatened on Oct. 5 to stage a general strike if the government invokes its right to emergency arbitration to order workers to return to work, sources said.

The move came after Labor Minister Lee Ki-kweon said last week the government would consider calling for an emergency measure if the trade union and management fail to iron out a compromise and end a strike at Hyundai Motor that is seriously hurting car parts subcontractors and the overall economy.

By law, the government can intervene to suspend a walkout when it is related to public services, adversely affects the daily lives of the general public and jeopardizes the national economy. If enacted, the concerned parties are required to immediately suspend walkouts for the following 30 days.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)