Starbucks Korea to improve working conditions for staff

Starbucks Korea employees pose for a picture at the Korean headquarters of the global coffeehouse chain in Seoul, on Oct. 15. Courtesy of Starbucks Korea

Korean unit promises to hire 1,600 more workers

By Kim Jae-heun

Starbucks Korea has decided to hire 1,600 more employees to allay mounting complaints voiced by existing workers over heavy workloads. It also promised to adopt a new wage system and improve working conditions.

The decision came 10 days after workers staged a street protest complaining about heavy workloads every time headquarters introduced new marketing promotions.

“In addition to regular recruitment conducted in individual regions, Starbucks Korea plans to hire new workers nationwide on Oct. 22 to increase the efficiency of store management and secure personnel,” a Starbucks Korea said.

Starbucks Korea is reviewing changes to the current wage system by implementing differing pay depending on a worker's capacity and position. Incentives will be given to those who handle extra work.

Starbucks Korea offers a minimum hourly wage of 9,200 won ($7.77) and employees have been expressing dissatisfaction over low pay.

The Korean unit of the global coffee chain will establish a taskforce to deal with ongoing street protests. The new team will prepare measures to deal with projected hardships that store workers can face when Starbucks launches new events, while suggesting solutions in real time.

The first-ever demonstration held by Starbucks Korea workers was triggered by a 50th anniversary event on Sept. 28. The chain served beverages in limited-edition, reusable plastic cups for only one day, attracting a huge number of customers during peak hours. At one Starbucks coffee shop in Seoul last month, baristas had to make 650 drinks in one day for customers who came only for the souvenir cups.

Staffers have also been complaining about rest areas. One whistleblower said Starbucks Korea employees had to eat lunch in rest areas next to janitorial equipment. The headquarters office also pledged to create more suitable rest areas for workers within its coffee shops.

Meanwhile, Starbucks Korea CEO Song Ho-seob made an official apology on Oct. 7 when the staffers staged a street demonstration for the first time since the coffee chain was launched here 22 years ago.

However, his apology received a backlash for lacking specific plans to improve working conditions. Song only said sorry for putting pressure on employees. Moreover, he came up with another promotional event scheduled for Oct. 17.

The Korea Confederation of Trade Unions, a local umbrella union, offered to help Starbucks Korea workers with their protest. But the Starbucks workers refused by saying they are not a union and they do not want KCTU to intervene.