A Path Opens for Domestic Workers to Receive Severance Pay and Four Major Insurances

Song Ok-ju, Chairperson of the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee, is presiding over the full committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Domestic workers, who were once called 'patchulbu' or 'gasadoumi' and left in the blind spots of labor welfare, now have a path to receive guarantees such as annual leave, severance pay, and the four major social insurances.

On the 29th, the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee held a plenary session and passed the "Act on the Improvement of Employment of Domestic Workers" to improve the working environment and employment conditions of domestic workers.

Until now, under the current Labor Standards Act, which explicitly states that it "does not apply to domestic workers," domestic workers were not legally protected.

Because of this, the domestic labor market has been formed without specific standards, mainly through employment agencies, personal introductions, and applications. The treatment and wages of domestic workers were poor and varied widely.

The bill, which passed the Environment and Labor Committee on this day, stipulates that government-certified domestic labor service agencies must employ workers. These agencies must enter into written contracts with domestic workers, including working and rest hours, and provide paid holidays, annual paid leave, severance pay, and the four major social insurances.

Lee Jae-gap, Minister of Employment and Labor, said, "This bill is significant in improving the working conditions of domestic workers who have been in a blind spot for nearly 70 years since 1953," adding, "The government will do its best to ensure that the legislative purpose is fully achieved."