SMG union demands higher wages for living in Seoul

By Kim Se-jeong

Unionized workers of the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) are demanding an increase in their wages to reflect the higher living costs in the capital.

In a press release, the Seoul City chapter of the Korean Government Employees’ Union (KGEU) demanded the city change its ordinances to pay more to its employees as they have to bear higher living and educational costs than those in other parts of the country.

The union’s demand has been met with criticism from the general public.

“Despite the high living costs, there are many advantages for those living in Seoul, such as convenient cultural facilities and a good education,” a blogger said. “The union members were not forced to work in Seoul, they themselves chose to work here.”

The union was motivated by the SMG’s salary guidelines for its civilian contractors, which takes into account the higher living costs.

Every year, the city government releases a desired monthly income for a Seoul household of three to make a minimum living. The income for 2016 was set at 1.49 million won, which is 18 percent higher than the central government-set minimum wage.

The union claims that their salary should rise by at least 18 percent. The monthly wage for civil servants at municipalities is the same across the nation, with other allowances and benefits differing according to their own ordinances.

Lee Hong-ki, a member of the union, said that the lowest-level civil servants receive 1.28 million won in monthly wages and some more in benefits, totaling about 1.5 million won.

“What we receive every month is less than what my employer suggests for other citizens,” Lee said. “We can’t take pride in our job if we receive only the minimum wage-level pay."

The union also said it is a common practice for countries like Japan to pay more for living in an expensive city. Tokyo city government employees get paid 18 percent more than those who work outside the city, according to the Seoul City chapter.

A member of the KGEU headquarters said the SMG chapter has long complained about the low salary. “But, the Seoul chapter made its move alone,” the member said. Asked about possible protests from other civil workers outside Seoul, he did not comment.

A Ministry of Personal Management official said if the salary is raised for Seoul, people would have other reasons to flock to the capital.

“Generally, people like to live in Seoul, and they make sacrifices to do it, such as coping with high living costs,” the official said. “If people are paid more only because they live in Seoul, it will only encourage people to leave their towns and come here,” she said.