Korean Job Discussion Forums

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Teenage workers suffer rights abuses
Doing nine-hour shifts, she cleaned and watched the shop while the owner was out and earned 500,000 won in wages. But the shop owner refused to pay her, giving no legitimate reason. Lee, as a minor, did not know her rights or how to enforce them. Finally, she knocked on the door of the Siso Center, an organization which helps teenagers with labor problems and is affiliated with the Commission of Youth Protection.

The center intervened and eventually got the shop owner to pay Lee.

The total amount of unpaid weekly and paid-holiday salaries at these Burger King and McDonald's franchises was 110 million won and 392 million won, respectively, it added.

"Park," a 17 year-old male high school student employed at a Burger King in southern Seoul, worked one and half months during his summer vacation last year but did not receive a penny. Enraged, Park told the owner he had the right to be paid but got nothing. Park reported the incident to the Siso center ....

Korea lags far behind other countries in providing help for young workers.
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2004/05/26/200405260008.asp

PatrickSiheung · Joined: 21 May 2003

I personally have known at least 3 Korean people that have worked for companies and not been paid. Korea is the worst for that. They can't call themselves a first world country. Glad to hear Lee got her money though.

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Why does it continue?
No Pay?
Why do people have to fight or argue to get money they have worked for?

I have had to go to the government for help in getting my hard earned money. Exclamation

Twice: One time I was successful after weeks of calling the government office and a lot of persistence. The other time I gave up.

Remember this on late pay, too.
Have you been paid late in Korea?
Never - I must be lucky! 30% [ 13 ]
Once or twice - no big deal, minor annoyance... 23% [ 10 ]
Several times - hate it! 20% [ 9 ]
Several times - but I understand the culture, doesn't bother me. 6% [ 3 ]
Many times - sigh... 16% [ 7 ]
WTF! I've never been paid on time! ARGH! 2% [ 1 ]
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=18732