13,000 Fewer Workers in Accommodation and Food Services in September... Decline Continues for 20 Months

Business Workforce Survey... 262,000 Workers Increased Across All Industries

On the 6th, Myeongdong Street, Seoul. / Photo by Honam Moon munonam@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Due to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of workers in the accommodation and food service industry decreased by 13,000 last month.

According to the results of the Business Workforce Survey announced by the Ministry of Employment and Labor on the 28th, as of the last business day of last month, among domestic businesses with one or more employees, the number of workers in accommodation and food service businesses was 1,099,000, a decrease of 13,000 (1.1%) compared to the same month a year ago. The number of workers in accommodation and food service has been declining for 20 consecutive months since February last year, when COVID-19 began to spread in Korea.

Compared to the same month a year ago, the number of workers decreased in public administration, defense, and social security administration (-88,000), accommodation and food service (-13,000), and business facilities management, business support, and rental services including travel industry (-10,000). Meanwhile, the number of workers increased in health and social welfare services (118,000), education services (63,000), and information and communications (57,000). In manufacturing, the number increased by 26,000, showing a growth trend for five consecutive months.

The total number of workers across all industries was 18,945,000, an increase of 262,000 (1.4%) compared to the same month a year ago. Despite the fourth wave of COVID-19, the Ministry of Employment and Labor reported that exports performed well and there was a base effect compared to last year, resulting in seven consecutive months of growth. The increase was smaller than the 300,000 range seen from April to June.

By employment status, the number of regular workers and temporary/daily workers increased by 168,000 and 89,000 respectively, and other workers including special employment types (special types of workers, "teukgo") increased by 6,000. New hires decreased by 15,000. While new recruitments increased by 38,000, other new hires including transfers and reinstatements decreased by 54,000. The number of job leavers decreased by 53,000. Among them, voluntary resignations increased by 8,000, involuntary resignations decreased by 7,000, and other resignations including COVID-19 related leave and furloughs decreased by 55,000.

In August, the average monthly wage per worker was 3,521,000 KRW, an increase of 4.2% compared to the same month a year ago.

The Business Workforce Survey conducted monthly by the Ministry of Employment and Labor targets sample businesses with fixed workplaces, excluding agriculture and similar sectors. Workers in household service industries without fixed workplaces are excluded.