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South Korea's Temporary Worker Rate Double OECD Average, Structural Reform Needed
🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

South Korea's Temporary Worker Rate Double OECD Average, Structural Reform Needed

From Dong-A Ilbo · (8m ago) Korean Critical tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • South Korea's proportion of temporary workers (26.9%) is more than double the OECD average (11.2%).
  • The share of temporary positions in new hires is increasing, alongside a rise in low-wage and ultra-short-term jobs.
  • Experts call for structural improvements in hiring and social protection, not just a reduction in temporary work.

A recent report from the Korea Labor Institute, as highlighted by Dong-A Ilbo, paints a concerning picture of South Korea's labor market. The findings reveal that our nation's reliance on temporary employment significantly outpaces that of other developed economies, with our temporary worker ratio more than double the OECD average. This isn't just a statistical anomaly; it reflects a deeper structural issue within our employment landscape.

The policy approach to the issue of temporary workers needs to be pursued in a direction that alleviates structural vulnerabilities within the labor market, rather than simply reducing the proportion of temporary workers, by improving the hiring structure at the labor market entry stage, enhancing the stability of the working hour structure, and strengthening social protection.

— Kim Bok-soon, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Labor Institute's Trend Analysis DivisionThis quote summarizes the expert recommendation for addressing the growing issue of temporary employment in South Korea.

The report points to a worrying trend: temporary positions are increasingly becoming the entry point for new hires. This, coupled with a rise in low-wage and ultra-short-term contracts, suggests a growing precariousness in the job market, particularly for those just starting their careers. While some indicators might appear to improve due to factors like reduced unstable jobs during the pandemic, the underlying reality is a persistent challenge for job security and fair compensation.

The increase in temporary employment in new hires can be seen as a result of a shift towards hiring primarily temporary workers in response to economic uncertainty, rather than regular employees.

— Korea Labor Institute ReportThe report explains the structural factors contributing to the rise of temporary jobs in South Korea.

From a South Korean perspective, this issue is critical. It impacts not only individual livelihoods but also the broader economic stability and social cohesion of our society. While Western media might focus on headline figures, we in Korea understand the nuanced reality of a labor market where temporary contracts can become long-term traps, hindering career progression and access to social benefits. The call for structural reforms—improving hiring practices and strengthening social protections—is not merely an economic suggestion; it's a vital step towards ensuring a more equitable and stable future for all Korean workers.

The proportion of temporary workers in our country was 26.9% as of 2024, more than double the OECD average (11.2%).

— Korea Labor Institute ReportThis quote highlights the significant gap between South Korea's temporary worker rate and the OECD average.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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