Seoul prepares to launch a controversial pilot program for foreign domestic workers next month. (Image courtesy of Seoul city)
SEOUL, Aug. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – As Seoul prepares to launch a controversial pilot program for foreign domestic workers next month, a heated debate has erupted over the wages these workers will receive.
The program, set to begin on September 3, has drawn criticism for its potential to benefit only the wealthy and exacerbate existing labor issues.
Under the pilot program, which adheres to South Korean labor laws, foreign domestic workers will earn 1.19 million won per month for four-hour workdays or 2.38 million won for eight-hour days.
This translates to an hourly wage of 13,700 won, slightly lower than the rates for public childcare services and private domestic help.
The program has faced backlash after it was revealed that nearly half of the applicants and over a third of the selected households are located in Seoul’s four most affluent districts. Critics argue that this initiative primarily benefits wealthy families in these areas.
As the controversy unfolds, conflicting views on the program’s future have emerged. Some argue that it was hastily implemented to benefit only a select few, while others contend that wages should be lowered to make the service accessible to middle-class families.
The government and ruling party are advocating for an exemption from minimum wage laws for these workers.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and President Yoon Suk Yeol have both called for differential application of minimum wage laws to address concerns.
However, Kim Moon-soo, the nominee for Minister of Employment and Labor, has urged caution, citing potential conflicts with the constitution, international standards, and domestic laws.
Experts in labor, welfare, economics, and immigration have raised several concerns about the program. They warn that focusing solely on providing cheap labor could lead to significant long-term consequences.
One major concern is the potential for these workers to leave their assigned positions for other minimum-wage jobs in rural areas or small-scale manufacturing, where there is a high demand for foreign labor.
This could exacerbate the already record-high number of undocumented foreign residents in South Korea, which stood at 420,000 out of 2.5 million foreign residents at the end of last year.
Another worry is the potential devaluation of care work. Experts fear that lowering wages for foreign domestic workers could lead to a decrease in wages for Korean care workers, further deteriorating the already challenging conditions in the care industry.
The program also raises questions about Korea’s readiness to integrate a significant number of foreign workers into its society, particularly in urban areas.
With potentially tens of thousands of new foreign workers entering the country, primarily in metropolitan areas, there are concerns about potential social conflicts and discrimination.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
