PASADENA – A nonprofit organization is suing Orange County-based carmakers Hyundai and Kia, alleging the companies have been violating state law against unfair competition with the use of exploited labor from children, immigrants and inmates.
Jobs to Move America filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court accusing Fountain Valley-based Hyundai and Irvine-based Kia of using cheap labor in supply chains, then masking it to get contracts from public agencies in California. State Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles, and Los Angeles City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez warned at a news conference with the plaintiffs that the companies’ contracts could face trouble with public agencies if the allegations are proven.
Hyundai and Kia did not immediately respond to requests for comment…