South Korean female workers in non-regular jobs hit record high of 4.09 million

A total of 45% of all female workers in South Korea were employed in non-regular job roles as of August, amounting to 4.09 million out of 9.08 million women employed. 

This marks a record high for the number of female workers to be employed in non-regular roles, the highest since the country started compiling the relevant data in 2003, according to research data by Statistics Korea. 

While the proportion of female staff employed in non-regular jobs tied with 2019, at 45%, the previous high was recorded in August 2009, at 44%, reports The Korea Herald. This was when the nation was hit by the Global Financial Crisis. 

READ: South Korea: Govt advises SMEs to prep for shorter working week

Non-regular jobs include temporary jobs, contract jobs, and other roles with low job security, while regular jobs are classified as those with permanent contracts and subsequently offer better protection for workers. 

As for male workers, those employed in non-regular roles marked the highest in a decade. Male staff holding non-regular roles hit 3.33 million, out of a total of 11.36 million employed, or 29.4%.