One hundred domestic workers from the Philippines have started providing services to 142 households, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on 3 September. (Image provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government)
SEOUL, Sept.17 (Korea Bizwire) – As South Korea celebrates its annual Chuseok harvest festival, a group of domestic workers from the Philippines, part of a new government initiative to address the country’s low birth rate, finds itself at a cultural crossroads.
The program, launched on September 3 by the Ministry of Employment and Labor in conjunction with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is facing its first major test during the holiday period.
According to Seoul city officials, these domestic workers are permitted to work during the Chuseok holiday from September 16 to 18, subject to agreement with the families that employ them.
While their primary role is childcare, they may also assist with some child-related household chores. For holiday work, they are entitled to 1.5 times their regular wage, amounting to 20,550 won per hour.
However, the scope of their duties remains a point of contention. The workers are prohibited from certain traditional Chuseok activities such as shopping for traditional holiday goods, taking out garbage, mopping floors, or organizing storage spaces.
They are also barred from cooking tasks that involve heating, such as frying food.
The guidelines provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government have left some gray areas, particularly in household chores related to childcare. For instance, while washing adult dishes is generally off-limits, it’s permissible if mixed with children’s dishes.
Similarly, they can’t launder adults’ clothes separately but may do so if mixed with children’s laundry. Preparing meals directly for adult family members is forbidden, but reheating food for adults is allowed if it’s the same meal prepared for the children.
A city official stated, “The number of domestic workers on duty during this holiday is relatively small,” adding that there have been no complaints regarding the scope of work so far.
The program has seen growth since its inception earlier this month. From an initial 143 households on September 3, the number of families utilizing the service has increased to over 160 following additional applications.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
