Anxiety over future job quality and disapproval of hiring practices and working conditions were expressed by the study’s participants. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Korea Bizwire) – Only 53.6 percent of 1,600 youth between the ages of 18 to 34 were in agreement with the statement “we can get better jobs than those of our parents’ generation” in a Ministry of Employment and Labor study on young peoples’ beliefs regarding employment policies.
Anxiety over future job quality and disapproval of hiring practices and working conditions were expressed by the study’s participants.
A mere 43.2 percent believed that companies were hiring and paying employees based on merit, and 67 percent said young hires faced gender discrimination in the workplace.
With 36.4 percent of all responses, employment was the most commonly given answer when asked about the biggest issue of concern.
A greater proportion of high school students admitted their worry (41.5 percent) compared to those either attending a postsecondary institution (36.7 percent) or graduates (34.5 percent).
With 36.4 percent of all responses, employment was the most commonly given answer when asked about the biggest issue of concern. (Image: Yonhap)
Roughly three-fourths stated they were open to working for a SME (76.1 percent), while a slightly higher proportion (78.3 percent) said hiring for public employee positions should be expanded.
Wages and benefits offered were considered the chief priority when considering a job (38.3 percent); only 16.1 percent emphasized fit, field of study, or interest were key factors in making a job decision.
Older participants placed greater importance on working hours and workload.
At 87.3 percent, the vast majority of all youth who partook in the study were in favor of the government enlarging employment policies for young people, while 91.3 percent called for improved unemployment benefits.
Among the tasks proposed for the government to undertake were improving job quality for young people, guaranteeing full-time status for jobs in a diversity of fields and addressing the differences between full-time and temporary job status.
S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)
