On November 13, 2025, Hadsell Stormer Renick & Dai LLP joined with co-counsel at McCracken, Stemerman & Holsberry and Schwartz, Steinsapir, Dohrmann & Sommers, LLP in a lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia challenging these companies’ use of child labor and prison labor in their U.S. supply chain and their systemic violation of Health and Safety laws resulting in worker amputations and deaths. The lawsuit is filed on behalf of Jobs to Move America (JMA), a national nonprofit advocating for good jobs and responsible public investment.
Hyundai and Kia have attempted to hide their unconscionable labor practices by falsely certifying that their vehicles are manufactured in compliance with state and federal law. Hyundai and Kia have used these false certifications to sell their vehicles to public agencies in California, circumventing state and local laws prohibiting the public purchase of vehicles manufactured with sweatshop labor.
The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment that Hyundai and Kia’s conduct violates California law and a permanent injunction prohibiting Hyundai and Kia from selling their vehicles in California or certifying their compliance with state and federal law until such compliance has been confirmed by an independent third-party audit.
Read the press release Jobs to Move America
Read the Complaint Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief
Read press coverage of the lawsuit:
LA Times - Daily Pilot, Labor lawsuit says O.C.-based Hyundai, Kia are exploiting children, immigrants, inmates
My News LA.com, Nonprofit Alleges Child, Inmate Labor Practices in Suit Against Hyundai, Kia
Daily Journal, Hyundai, Kia sued over alleged forced labor in supply chain
Atlanta News First, California lawsuit seeks to ban sale, marketing of Hyundai vehicles in the state until “unconscionable” labor practices end
Alabama Political Reporter, Lawsuit filed against Hyundai and Kia over alleged “severe labor exploitation”