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ED Protecting domestic workers

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  • Published May 24, 2021 4:30 pm KST
  • Updated May 24, 2021 5:33 pm KST

New law expected to correct misconceptions about housework

The National Assembly approved a bill Friday intended to ensure legal protection for housekeepers as regular workers, but only when they are dispatched after being hired by government-authorized agencies. Under the new law, domestic workers will be guaranteed the minimum wage, annual paid leave and severance pay as well as the four major social insurance plans if it takes effect after a year.

The passage of the bill is welcome, given that our long-standing practice of not recognizing domestic work as labor has been shattered after 68 years. The Labor Standards Act, enacted in 1953, does not acknowledge “domestic helpers” as paid workers, failing to give them this status. Discussions to improve the working conditions of housekeepers began in 2010, but there had been no tangible progress until last year when a full-fledged debate resumed.

The government expects the new law to activate the housekeeper market, but the results may turn out to be quite the opposite because of possible cost-push pressures. There has been rising demand for domestic workers here who can offer childcare and other household services, especially amid the prolonged coronavirus pandemic. The imbalance between supply and demand has also led to an increase in costs. Statistics Korea's price index for the cost of domestic workers rose 23.1 percent last year from 2015 although the overall consumer price index rose by only 5.4 percent. So a further increase in cost for housekeepers following the legislation might take a heavy toll on working couples badly in need of domestic help.

To help relieve the burden on these consumers, the government needs to create nonprofit agencies to supply housekeepers. Political parties and the labor authorities should work together to tackle the array of problems that could erupt in the process of preparing to enforce the law in the coming year. Hopefully though, this law will correct common misconceptions about housework and serve as an occasion to create decent jobs.