South Korea’s government urged to delay implementing longer work week
Small businesses in the country have asked for more time to prepare for the 52-hour work week, which is set to be implemented next month.
South Korea mulls vaccination at companies producing chips
Workers at chip and electronic companies may be vaccinated to reduce disruptions to the production of computer chips which are in short supply globally.
South Korea’s jobless claims fall in May
Those receiving job-seeking benefits totalled 704,000 in May, in line with a downward trend of 759,000 in March, and 739,000 in April.
South Korea to grant workers with extra days off
The government will soon pass a bill that will provide workers with extra days off should a public holiday fall on a weekend.
Employment continues to grow in South Korea
The Ministry of Employment and Labour said the number of employees hired by local businesses grew 2.1% year-on-year in April.
South Korea’s proposed bill protects workers’ rights when companies split
South Korea’s policymakers have proposed a bill that will guarantee employees’ rights when a company is in a spinoff.
Paid vaccination leave gains traction among South Korea’s larger firms
CJ Group was the latest to announce a paid vaccination leave for its employees, who can take two days off to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations.
South Korea’s April jobs show largest growth in seven years
The number of employed workers in South Korea totalled 27.21 million in April, up 652,000 from a year ago.
Pandemic affected more women workers than men in South Korea
The number of employed women aged between 25 and 54 fell by 541,000 year-on-year last March, more than the 327,000 for men in the same age group.
One of five part-timers in South Korea want to work longer
The number of individuals who worked less than 36 hours a week reached 5.9 million last month, marking an increase of 836,000, or 16.6% year-on-year.
South Korea’s minimum wage under debate
The decision has to be made before August 5, which is the legal deadline for the Ministry of Employment and Labour to deliver an official notice to the public.
Stay-at-home dads reached an all-time high in South Korea
Fathers in their 30s and 40s comprised 74.5% of stay-at-home dads, while those aged 60 and above comprised almost 18%.
Wage gap between regular and non-regular workers grows in South Korea
In the past 10 years, the wage gap between regular and non-regular workers has increased by 490,000 won (US$438), up 47.6%.
South Korean workers need to learn how to work with machines
South Korea’s labour minister urged employees to be more adaptable to work in a fast-changing and high-tech environment.
South Korean government urged to enact nationwide sickness programme
Labour activists are calling for more to be done for workers who experience adverse symptoms after receiving their COVID-19 vaccination shots.
South Korea sees increase in non-regular female workers in their 20s
The number of women in their 20s who held non-regular jobs rose the fastest, growing by 5.5 percentage points.
South Korea’s revised labour law allows more flexibile work week
The Ministry of Employment and Labour has increased the period which employers can have more flexibility in implementing the 52-hour work week.
South Korea’s revision of law leaves labourers still vulnerable
The latest revision of the Workplace Harassment Prevention Law (WHPL) fails to protect subcontractors and labourers facing harassment.
48% of wage workers in South Korea willing to be vaccinated
Less than half of salaried workers surveyed are willing to be inoculated against the coronavirus, as uncertainty remains over potential side effects.
1 million pandemic-displaced persons still jobless in South Korea
In February, out of the 1.35 million persons officially unemployed, 999,000 had lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
More South Korean women in their 30s drop out of the workforce
The labour force participation rate of women peaks between ages 25 and 29, before it plunges in the 30s as women leave work to care for their children.
Seoul scraps mandatory COVID-19 screening for foreign workers
Seoul and the neighbouring province of Gyeonggi were among the local governments ordering all of its foreign workers to be tested for COVID-19.
Record high number of jobseekers entering workforce in South Korea
The number of people preparing for employment has hit a record high last month in a pandemic-affected labour market.
Unemployment benefit surpasses 1 trillion won in South Korea
South Korea’s unemployment allowance payment hit a five-month high in February, surpassing 1 trillion won (US$884 million) again.
Two thirds of large South Korean companies negative on hiring
Some 63.6% of the largest 500 companies in South Korea surveyed said that they have no plans for recruitment.
South Korea aims to create 300,000 service sector jobs by 2025
The government aims to help small shop owners and firms set up a smart business system to support their transition into contactless operations.
South Korea rolls out 15 trillion won support for small businesses
With the extra budget, total government spending would rise to a record 573 trillion won this year, up 11.9% from 2020, the finance ministry said.
South Koreans’ average monthly income rose 4.1% in 2019
Data showed that the average monthly income of South Korean workers increased by 4.1% in 2019 year-on-year due to a rise in minimum wage.
Household incomes in South Korea fell for third straight quarter in 2020
Data from Statistics Korea showed that household incomes from salaries and business operations declined for three consecutive quarters in Q4 2020.
Temporary jobs for South Koreans in their 20s plunge as pandemic wears on
Statistics Korea said the number of temporary and daily jobs for those in their 20s declined 18% in January due to the pandemic.