Convenience Store Owners Association "Cannot Accept Minimum Wage Increase"... Strong Opposition

Criticism of "Conflict Between Eul and Eul"... Urging Government Measures

At the 8th plenary meeting held on the 30th at the Minimum Wage Commission meeting room in the Government Sejong Complex, the minimum wage for next year was decided to be 9,620 won.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The Korea Convenience Store Owners Association strongly opposed the decision on the 2024 minimum wage, which was set at 9,620 won per hour, a 5.0% increase from this year, stating that it is unacceptable.

In a statement released on the 30th, the association said, "This decision provokes conflict between the weaker parties and pushes convenience store owners into becoming lawbreakers."

The association claimed, "Convenience stores have long reached the limit of their ability to pay the minimum wage," adding, "The minimum wage increase results in an additional burden of 300,000 to 450,000 won per store per month."

The association urged the government to implement measures to reduce the labor cost burden on self-employed individuals, stating, "An increase that does not consider the payer's situation inevitably leads to employment reduction, non-payment of minimum wages, and ultra-short-term hiring to avoid weekly holiday pay, thereby exacerbating social problems."