Seoul City Launches Free Legal Support for Workplace Sexual Harassment Victims

Guaranteeing Labor Rights for Socioeconomically Vulnerable Workers: New Employees, Dispatched Workers, Special Type Workers, and Platform Laborers

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City is launching the nation’s first free legal support service for victims of workplace sexual harassment to protect the rights of those who face disadvantages and difficulties during the reporting and handling process.

On the 17th, the Seoul With You Workplace Sexual Harassment and Violence Prevention Center (With You Center) announced that it has selected five institutions to carry out this year’s “Legal Accompaniment Support Project” and will begin supporting victims starting from the 22nd. Any victim of workplace sexual harassment who is a Seoul citizen or works at a business located in Seoul can apply, regardless of employment status such as part-time, contract, or temporary positions.

The center supports victims in areas including ?internal company response ?filing complaints with the Ministry of Employment and Labor ?filing complaints with the National Human Rights Commission ?applying for industrial accident compensation through the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service. Additionally, the With You Center provides free consulting and education on ?introducing sexual harassment grievance procedures ?employer obligations and response measures to small businesses, and also offers free support for ?sexual harassment investigation and deliberation committees when incidents occur.

Song Da-young, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Women and Family Policy Office, stated, “The labor environment for women has become even more unstable due to COVID-19,” adding, “We will further expand related policies, including the Legal Accompaniment Support Project, to guarantee labor rights for socioeconomically vulnerable workers such as contract workers, special employment workers, and platform workers.”