Seoul City to Conduct Consulting on Long Working Hours Shift System and Wage Structure for Security Workers... Recruiting 40 Complexes

Inducing Long-Term Employment Through Customized Consulting and Implementation Monitoring by Apartment Scale and Characteristics
Recruitment of Participating Complexes from 8th to 17th, Dispatch of Labor Experts in October-November

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is set to improve the long working hours, work patterns, and wage systems of security workers in apartment complexes to create a safe working environment and establish a culture of long-term employment.

On the 8th, Seoul announced that starting from September, it will select 40 apartment complexes within the city to pilot consulting on the reorganization of security workers' shift systems. The core goal is to create an "employment stability win-win model" that protects the rights and health of security workers by proposing customized work reform plans tailored to the characteristics of each complex, while minimizing the burden of increased management fees on residents.

Currently, security workers in apartment complexes are classified as "surveillance and control workers," which excludes them from key provisions of the Labor Standards Act such as working hours and holidays. Because of this, long working hours are widespread, including the "every-other-day shift system" where workers work 24 hours and rest 24 hours. Many lack designated break times or rest areas, making it urgent to develop improvement measures to protect the health and rights of security workers.

In September, Seoul will select 40 apartment complexes and conduct consulting over two months from October to November, reflecting the characteristics of each complex to develop plans for reforming security workers' work methods and wage systems. Priority will be given to complexes with a strong willingness for coexistence and cooperation between residents and security workers.

First, certified labor consultants will visit the complexes in person to conduct face-to-face consultations and awareness surveys targeting security workers, residents, and management offices, and will also hold project briefing sessions. Based on the survey results and factors such as the size of the complex, number of security workers, level of automation, and management methods, systematic consulting will be conducted to propose optimal improvement plans tailored to each complex.

Additionally, consulting and improvement plans will be provided regarding security workers' work methods, including break time and annual leave usage, and the sharing of lifestyle services such as parcel delivery, recycling, and parking management.

The improvement plans will be continuously managed to ensure they can be practically applied to security workers' work methods and wage calculations. If there are differences of opinion between security workers and residents during implementation, the labor consultant will directly mediate and support reaching the best agreement. Furthermore, after the implementation of the improvement plans, the consultant will revisit the complexes and propose additional improvements if necessary.

Apartments wishing to receive consulting on the reorganization of security workers' shift systems can download and complete the application form from the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Integrated Apartment Platform or S-APT between the 8th and 17th, and submit it via email to the Seoul Labor Policy Office. For more details, inquiries can be made to the Seoul Metropolitan Government or the Seoul Labor Rights Center. Participation is open to apartment complexes throughout Seoul without restrictions.

Meanwhile, since June last year, Seoul has established a "Dedicated Rights Remedy Reporting Center" to protect the rights of security workers in apartment complexes, providing comprehensive free support from conflict mediation to legal aid and psychological counseling. In addition, various projects are underway to empower security workers, including support for self-help groups and labor education, enabling them to strengthen their capabilities and protect their rights independently.

Han Young-hee, Seoul’s Director of Labor, Fairness, and Coexistence Policy, stated, "The purpose of this consulting is to create an employment stability model that alleviates the employment insecurity of security workers working for the safety and convenience of residents, protects their health rights, and minimizes the burden of increased management fees on residents." She added, "We will promote various policies to create and expand a labor environment where residents and security workers can coexist."