Domestic workers take to streets for better treatment

Kim Ji-hyun, a domestic worker, speaks during a protest at Gwangwhamun in Seoul, Thursday. /Korea Times Shim Hyun-chul

By Kim Se-jeong

A day before International Domestic Workers’ Day, Thursday, domestic workers gathered in Seoul and urged the government to act to protect them.

Almost 50 workers from across Korea and activists chanted for recognition and new legislation to protect their rights during their rally.

Activists estimated the number of domestic workers in Korea at 700,000. They’re mostly Korean women, but a growing number are Chinese with ethnic Korean backgrounds. They earn a living by taking care of clients’ young children or old parents, cleaning their homes, doing dishes and washing clothes ― sometimes moving into clients’ homes.

As more women work, the need for domestic workers is on the rise. More families are looking for professional caregivers for their young children and older parents at home, and the trend is expected to continue.

Yet they are highly vulnerable, even though some are highly skilled.

The domestic law doesn’t recognize them as workers, depriving them of all employment benefits ― occupational health and safety insurance, pensions and medical and employment insurance.

“I have pain in my shoulder and arms and I need to see a doctor almost every day, but I have to pay out of my own pocket,” Kim Ji-hyun, 39, one of the protesters, said during the rally. She is a mother of two children and a full-time babysitter. “I stayed home for 10 years to raise my children. I wanted to get a job after my children grew up and I wanted to help my husband financially. I am proud of my work and deserve equal treatment.”

It’s been almost six years since the Korean domestic workers campaigned together unsuccessfully. But this year, hopes were high among the protesters.

“President Moon said he would take care of workers in the margins. We see hope this year,” Choi Young-mi from the Korean Domestic Workers’ Association said.

Rep. Seo Hyung-soo of the Democratic Party of Korea is expected to propose a bill today to improve working conditions for domestic workers. If passed, the bill would allow domestic workers to get employment benefits by signing a contract with new liaison offices.

Domestic workers suffer similar problems around the world.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), domestic workers “work for private households, often without clear terms of employment, unregistered in any book, and excluded from the scope of legislation.” Globally, the number of domestic workers is estimated at 67 million, mostly women.

In 2011, the ILO adopted Convention 189 to promote fair treatment of domestic workers, and the Korean domestic workers also call on Korea to ratify the convention.