JTI Korea said Monday that it has signed an agreement with the labor union to resolve disputes that have been festering for over three years. 

The tobacco maker said the negotiations were conducted in a “sincere” manner. Its new General Manager Jose Luis Amador took an active role in listening to employees’ concerns over job security and the working conditions of the sales team. 

The key agreements include increasing wages by 2021 and funding the education of the employees’ children from kindergarten to university.

“We listened to and communicated openly with employees to resolve the disputes while continuing sincere talks with the labor union, with full support from the Korea Federation of Food Industry Workers’ Unions and the Ministry of Employment and Labor,” said Amador.

“This is the result of all of us working together. I am encouraged by the fact that we will explore the future together without a reduction in the staff strength.”

The company said it will also improve the welfare of its employees based on a sustainable and flexible work environment to ensure business continuity and job security. 

(ddd@heraldcorp.com)