MAN stopped cooperating with Linglong?
After German media reported that due to labor rights violations at the Shandong Linglong Tire factory in Serbia, automaker MAN decided to cease cooperation with the company, the Chinese side issued an official statement denying allegations of violating labor laws.
The statement says that Linglong Europe "attaches great importance to all allegations spread by the press", but in recent reports "all the facts presented are distorted, they are fake news aimed at damaging our reputation".
At MAN, the Tyrepress portal confirmed that they severed ties with Linglong in late November. At the "daughter" of Volkswagen Group, they reported that they "take very seriously the allegations of human rights violations that occurred in this case" and stopped supplying Chinese brand tires.
Linglong emphasizes that "all information about poor treatment of workers is related to the activities of former contractors and subcontractors" with whom the contract was terminated in September 2022. The company also rejects reports that working conditions for workers do not meet requirements. "Winter clothing was purchased and delivered for the cold season, and passports were collected to issue residence and work permits in accordance with the law, after which they were immediately returned".
It is also noted that "workers have complete freedom of movement, and no one controls them or forces them to do what they don't want. They can buy any food and every month they visit the post office to send their salaries to their families". "In the area where the workers live, there are basketball courts, and all their rights are protected," the company adds. "We also guarantee that all employees who signed contracts with Linglong did not pay us any compensation".
Linglong also says that they no longer work with the Chinese contractor China Energy Engineering Group Tianjin Electric Power Construction (CEE TEPC), which was mentioned in the media in connection with labor rights violations. "Cooperation with CEEC TEPC was stopped in September 2022, and since then we have not maintained any relations with CEEC TEPC or their subcontractors," the tire manufacturer's statement says. "Any questions regarding TEPC after this period should be directed to the company itself, as Linglong is not its representative".
On November 12, 2021, Linglong was accused of violating the rights of Vietnamese workers hired by a contractor. The company says that they "immediately responded" and on November 16, a report was published based on an inspection by a commission that included representatives from the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the fire service, and the police. It is noted that the only problem was that gas cylinders and barrels limited access to fire protection means, and in December of the same year, the workers were transferred to new premises.
Subsequently, the workers' living quarters were inspected by representatives of the Embassies of Vietnam and Romania, who "came to the conclusion that the allegations are not true, no signs of attacks or insults were found, and the main problem is the language barrier".
On December 17, 2024, a third-party audit was conducted at the factory in Serbia by TÜV Rheinland employees, and "during the inspection, no human rights violations were found".
Regarding MAN's cessation of Linglong tire supplies, the tire company intends to release a statement in the coming days.
In July 2022, Lingling reported that it had started equipping MAN TGL trucks with Linglong KLS200 tires for the steering axle and Linglong KLD200 for the drive axle (in sizes 245/70 R17.5 and 265/70 R17.5), which were then launched into production at the new factory in Serbia.
German media also writes that MAN's parent company, Volkswagen Group, "has taken measures to clarify the facts" regarding the allegations against Linglong. VW has not commented on the situation yet.
At The Tire Cologne 2024 exhibition, it was announced that Linglong Grip Master C/S G1 tires in size 255/45 R19 had been homologated for the VW Tiguan, and for the Chinese company, this was the first such experience working with Volkswagen in Europe.
Photo: Pneus News.