60% of foreign workers feel discrimination in Korea: research

Foreign workers in South Korea are feeling the pinch of discrimination. Yonhap

By Jung Hae-myoung

Three in five foreign workers in Korea (59.2 percent) said they have experienced discrimination, according to a report by the Gyeonggi Family and Women's Research Institute issued on Thursday.

Out of a survey of 688 foreigners, 58.4 percent chose “language barrier” as the first area in which they feel hardship.

Next were racism and discrimination from Koreans (23.7 percent), cultural difference (21.9 percent), expensive health insurance (15.7 percent), lack of consultation service (13.9 percent) and bad working environment (13.1 percent).

Female workers complained about racism more than male workers. Older foreign workers experienced more discrimination.

In the survey, 72.2 percent said they tolerated unfair situations and only a limited number of people stood up.