A group of apartment security guards hold a rally on March 20, 2023, demanding punishment of a dead security guard’s superiors accused of bullying. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 4 (Korea Bizwire) — Most retired seniors apply for security guard positions to sustain their livelihood.
This is largely because it is difficult for a job seeker over the age of 60 to find a decent job with a decent career portfolio.
Gapjil 119, a civic group dedicated to stamping out power abuse by people in higher positions, revealed that 79.6 percent of 269,000 security guards in the country are over 60 years of age and 30 percent are over the age of 70.
Guards struggle with unstable and difficult working environments. They face low income, unnecessary tasks, and poor management of leaves of absence.
Past the age of 70, seniors are only accepted as security guards at smaller apartment complexes with harsher working environments, earning no more than minimum wage and being asked to do unnecessary chores.
Senior guards say they are always exposed to the risk of an incident like when a 70-year-old security guard at an apartment complex in Seoul’s Gangnam District committed suicide last month after revealed that he had been exploited by the apartment complex’s management office.
An individual referred to only as Kim, a 78-year-old security guard at an apartment complex in Gangdong District, works on a 24-hour shift.
The two-hour break allowed for each security guard is no more than time for standby. They have to respond to any call that would arise at any time.
“I work this much just for a minimum wage (9,620 won per hour). In the eight years that I’ve worked here, I’ve never taken a single day of leave,” he said.
The primary reason behind the lack of improvement in the working environment of security guards is the fact that seniors are vulnerable groups with difficulties in raising their hardships as an issue.
Due to their age, they cannot afford to choose the job of their liking. They choose to keep a low profile, despite the harsh environment and unjust treatment.
Roughly 20 percent of security guards sign a labor contract that renews every three months, while most guards aren’t even properly hired by the apartment complex.
At smaller complexes, security guards don’t even sign a labor contract.
“If I get kicked out of here, I have nowhere else to go. I need to keep the job, even if it is harsh,” said 71-year-old security guard surnamed Lee.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
Impressive! Thanks for sharing this.
The unfortunate situation of senior security guards at apartment complexes is a microcosm of the larger problem of ageism in the modern labor market. The majority of guards are above the age of 60, putting them in a vulnerable position that is compounded by low pay, few benefits, and poor scheduling. The situation is even worse for people over the age of 70, who are routinely underpaid, overworked, and relegated to living in smaller, less desirable complexes. There is an immediate need for reform and help for these senior guards, as evidenced by the terrible story of a 70-year-old security guard who took his own life due to exploitation. It’s a sobering reminder of the need to eliminate discrimination against older workers and expand access to employment for all people. This is really very informative for us.