Lee Jae-myung: "Gyeonggi Province Irregular Worker Fair Compensation to Expand Nationwide and to Private Sector"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province expressed expectations for the expansion of the "Gyeonggi Province Irregular Worker Fair Compensation" to the nationwide and private sectors.

On the 6th through his SNS, Governor Lee stated, "In the third quarter of last year, the wage gap between regular and irregular workers reached a record high of 1.52 million won. The effects of COVID-19 are having an even greater impact on irregular workers," and added, "The current reality experienced by irregular workers is that they suffer from dual discrimination with employment insecurity compounded by low wages."

Governor Lee then outlined overseas examples alongside the necessity of "appropriate compensation for irregular workers" and announced Gyeonggi Province's implementation of irregular worker fair compensation.

Governor Lee stated, "Though a modest amount, I believe this is an effort to correct the irrational and unfair standards in the labor market," and concluded, "While we are beginning in the public sector of Gyeonggi Province, I expect this to expand nationwide and to the private sector as well."

The following is the full text of Governor Lee's SNS post.

<Employment Insecurity Plus Low Wages.. Irrational Dual Discrimination Must Be Resolved>
In the third quarter of last year, the wage gap between regular and irregular workers reached a record high of 1.52 million won. The effects of COVID-19 are having an even greater impact on irregular workers.
The current reality experienced by irregular workers is that they suffer from dual discrimination with employment insecurity compounded by low wages.
If we impose harsh treatment through dual discrimination on workers who are relatively much more vulnerable, there is no meaning to forming a community and living together. An appropriate compensation system for irregular workers with unstable employment is necessary.
France has unstable employment compensation allowances, Spain has employment contract termination allowances, Australia has supplementary wage systems, and various overseas cases already exist. In our country as well, survey results show that nearly 80% of citizens in the Seoul metropolitan area recognize the necessity of compensation for irregular workers.
Through a policy naming contest last year with the participation of provincial residents, we are implementing the "Gyeonggi Province Irregular Worker Fair Compensation" starting this year.
For temporary workers who are irregular workers at Gyeonggi Province and provincial public institutions, we will provide "compensation allowances" proportionate to employment instability such as work duration, differentiated from a minimum of 5% to a maximum of 10% of the base salary.
Though a modest amount, I believe this is an effort to correct the irrational and unfair standards in the labor market.
While we are beginning in the public sector of Gyeonggi Province, I expect this to expand nationwide and to the private sector as well.