The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Mon, August 8, 2022 | 10:20
Economy
No. of irregular workers hits record 7.48 million
Posted : 2019-10-29 17:03
Updated : 2019-10-30 10:34
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

Gov't blames ILO for disappointing job data

By Park Jae-hyuk

The number of irregular workers in August jumped to 7.48 million from 6.61 million a year earlier, even as the Moon Jae-in administration continues its efforts to reduce temporary positions to improve job security, Statistics Korea data showed Tuesday.

Both the actual number of irregular workers and the increase were the highest the government has seen in the 16 years since it began compiling the statistics back in 2003.

The number of irregular workers amounted to 36.4 percent of that of salaried workers, the highest proportion ever within the past 12 years.

Amid the unprecedented increase, the number of regular employees dropped to 13 million from 13.4 million, the first time since 2010 that there has been a decrease.

Considering the administration's efforts to switch irregular workers in the public sector to regular positions, the increase of irregular workers in the private sector is estimated to be much higher.

A vice finance minister and the commissioner of Statistics Korea, however, went all out to defend the government, appearing at a press conference to explain the economic indicator.

They attributed the increase in irregular workers to the International Labor Organization (ILO) changing how it categorizes workers.

"As we adopted the ILO's new categorization method, we discovered an additional number of irregular workers," Vice Finance Minister Kim Yong-beom told reporters. "Given that other surveys did not show rapid growth of irregular workers, we can say that the method of calculation was what contributed the most to the latest data."

Statistics Korea Commissioner Kang Shin-wook said the agency discovered up to 500,000 additional irregular workers, who were not included in previous data.

However, the increase is still unusual, even if taking their claims into account.

If the 500,000 were excluded from previous data, the number of irregular workers would increase by 360,000 ― the second-largest since the increase marked 785,000 in 2003 when the first statistics were compiled.

"The government should realize that businesses try to minimize their employment and seek to hire workers temporarily in the current low-growth and low-profit environment," said Sung Tae-yoon, a professor of economics at Yonsei University.

Meanwhile, irregular workers are facing worsening job conditions, according to the data.

Their average monthly salary was 1.72 million won ($1,477) between June and August, while regular workers were paid 3.16 million won on average during the same period.

The gap was 1.43 million won, up 71,000 won from 2018.


Emailpjh@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Citizens excited about refurbished Gwanghwamun Square
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Taiwan is part of China,' says Chinese ambassador
  • DSME hit with $970-million lawsuit from Japanese oil company
  • The fate of Sontag Hotel
  • Hyundai aims to develop own automotive semiconductors
  • Gov't considers slashing tariffs on imported produce ahead of Chuseok
  • KAI, Hanwha, SK, Hyundai Rotem contribute to Danuri project
  • Woori Bank to invest $7.7 million in 10 promising startups
  • Envoy wary of creating Asian version of NATO
  • 'Gov't should help manufacturers digitize fast to overcome global supply chain risks'
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
    • Brad Pitt to visit Korea to promote new film 'Bullet Train' Brad Pitt to visit Korea to promote new film 'Bullet Train'
    • [INTERVIEW] Jung Woo-sung was initially hesitant to take on role in 'Hunt' [INTERVIEW] Jung Woo-sung was initially hesitant to take on role in 'Hunt'
    • Hallyu research should be conducted beyond Korean perspective: scholars Hallyu research should be conducted beyond Korean perspective: scholars
    • 'The Red Sleeve' director debuts new thriller 'The Red Sleeve' director debuts new thriller
    • OTT platforms struggle amid declining number of users OTT platforms struggle amid declining number of users
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group