Due to the Spread of Job Insecurity... Employed Workers with Side Jobs Increase for the Third Consecutive Year

558,000 People Chose Side Jobs in November... 50,000 More Than Two Years Ago
Clear Increase Among Vulnerable Workers in Their 20s and Over 65... Temporary Jobs Also Rising in Side Job Choices

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] It has been revealed that the number of workers choosing side jobs outside their main occupation has continuously increased over the past three years. While the growth of the platform industry has contributed to the rise in special-type workers, the increase in side job selection mainly among temporary workers reflects the reality that employment stability is deteriorating year by year.

On the 28th, Asia Economy analyzed the November employment trend microdata from Statistics Korea and found that the number of employed persons choosing side jobs was 558,000, nearly 50,000 more than in the same month in 2019. In November, the number increased from 509,000 in 2019 to 527,000 last year, and this year it rose again by more than 30,000.

Looking at age and employment type, the tendency to choose side jobs was clear among vulnerable employment groups. Among those in their 20s, who find it difficult to secure regular jobs, the number increased from 22,000 to 41,000 over the past three years, and among those aged 65 and over, where public work is common, it rose from 106,000 to 143,000 during the same period. In contrast, among those in their 50s, who are relatively economically stable compared to other age groups, the number of workers choosing side jobs decreased from 150,000 to 125,000. The trends in side job participation also differed significantly between temporary and regular workers in terms of employment status.

Experts evaluated that the expansion of government public jobs, rather than private sector jobs, has fueled employment insecurity. Especially if the base interest rate rises and inflation strengthens next year, the tendency to hold multiple jobs as 'N-jobbers' is expected to become more pronounced.

Professor Yoon Dong-yeol of Konkuk University's Department of Business Administration said, "This reflects workers' judgment that it is difficult to sustain their livelihood with just one job," adding, "The increase in jobs with relatively low entry barriers, such as substitute driving and delivery drivers, mainly among temporary daily workers and self-employed persons without employees, is evidence of this."