By Lee Kyung-min
The government said Sunday it will crack down on fashion firms and designers that are underpaying young workers in harsh working conditions.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor said it will conduct an inspection into suspicious firms and designers.
The move comes a week after two youth groups announced fashion bigwig Lie Sang-bong as the winner of the 2014 Exploitation Award at a press conference in Gwanghwamun, in a sarcastic gesture to point out the prevalence of exploitation in the industry.
Presenting the award, the Youth Community Union and the Fashion Union disclosed that some interns and apprentices were only paid 100,000 won to 300,000 won a month, far short of the government-set 5,580 won per hour minimum wage.
Fashion Union Director “Batman D” said last week, signing a contract itself represented the dignity workers were entitled to, adding they were demanding a fundamental change in employers' mindsets.
Following their move, the ministry vowed such practices in the name of “tradition or culture” will no longer be tolerated.
“Many companies require passion as key characteristic of applicants. However, what they are really asking is to put up with would-be, or might-be bosses. The practice is very unfair for the young seeking employment,” a ministry official said.
“We plan to conduct a broad investigation into those companies to uncover any other unlawful business practices. Some companies will be held accountable for abusing their established status,” the official added.
The ministry will also conduct similar inspections on a social commerce company WeMakePrice (WMP), a winner of its 2013 award for an exemplary company.
The company’s exploitation came to light when it unilaterally terminated contracts with 11 people two weeks after hiring them.
Unlike the company’s initial position, saying they would be regular workers, all 11 were fired for “falling short of hiring requirements,” after working full-time for only 50,000 won a day.
After public groundswell and uproar, the company eventually offered jobs to all 11.