Youth hiring violations growing

By Kim Bo-eun

The number of violations of labor laws concerning youth employment has more than doubled over the past five years, data shows.

According to data from Rep. Nam In-soon of the Democratic Party of Korea, the portion of businesses at which violations were found has grown from 24.2 percent in 2012 to 49.8 percent in 2017.

Not drawing up contracts or not properly stating working conditions accounted for the largest share of the violations, growing from 46.5 percent to 57.6 percent in 2017.

Not notifying the worker of the minimum wage and unpaid wages followed.

Other violations included not providing extra pay for night duty and not paying the minimum wage.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family ordered local governments to have the businesses correct their practices regarding violations of the juvenile protection act and stated the Ministry of Employment and Labor would take measures concerning violations of the labor relations law.

However, out of 997 cases discovered over the five year period, fines were levied in only 10 cases, two cases faced judicial action and one case administrative measures.

“For improved effectiveness, monitoring must take place after correction orders are made,” Nam said.

“Education and promotional efforts must continue in order to teach minors about their labor rights to protect them from unfair treatment such as wages not paid and failure to pay them the minimum wage.”