[News Terms] 'Hwangyeong Gongmugwan' Now Eligible for Vacation Expense Support

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] 'Hwangyeong Gongmugwan' are experts who clean streets such as roads and sidewalks, as well as public buildings, schools, hospitals, offices, and apartments. The job title was changed from 'Hwangyeong Mihwa-won,' which meant simple cleaning workers who clean and collect trash. It began to be used as a way to express gratitude and boost the morale of those who clean streets and offices before citizens start their day.

The job title 'Hwangyeong Mihwa-won' was first used by the government ahead of the 1988 Seoul Olympics and is still used by most local governments. Seoul City changed this job title to 'Hwangyeong Gongmugwan' in the 2016 labor-management collective agreement, and Nam-gu in Busan changed the title in 2019. Other districts such as Haeundae-gu in Busan, Yangcheon-gu in Seoul, Sangju-si in Gyeongbuk, and Jung-gu in Daegu have also changed the job title, spreading its use nationwide.

Environmental officer cleaning a side road.
[Photo by Jung-gu Office, Seoul]

Although there are differences depending on the region and conditions, Hwangyeong Gongmugwan generally start work at 3 a.m. and finish at 11 a.m., or work shifts for 5 to 6 days a week. They are hired by local governments, selecting physically healthy individuals aged between 20 and 55. In some localities, the competition rate exceeds 20 to 1. Physical tests such as 100-meter sprints, running while carrying sandbags, and grip strength measurements are challenging. Many prepare separately for physical tests while studying for the Grade 9 civil service exam to challenge this field. Due to overtime pay and hazard allowances, the starting salary is relatively high for public officials, and retirement age is guaranteed. Classified as indefinite contract workers, their monthly and annual salaries are paid according to their seniority.

However, the work is tough. Since they work early in the morning or late at night, sufficient rest between work hours is necessary, but rest facilities for them have not yet been properly established.

Seoul City announced on the 21st that it will support holiday gift certificates and vacation expenses to improve the treatment of Hwangyeong Gongmugwan. During the Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays, Seoul City will provide gift certificates worth 50,000 won per person, and during the summer vacation period, it will allocate a budget of 620 million won to provide 75,000 won per person for resort use. Since direct support to Hwangyeong Gongmugwan belonging to outsourcing companies is not possible, support will be provided by adding welfare expenses to the contract cost between autonomous districts and companies.

Rest facilities will also be improved. After receiving applications from autonomous districts and selecting optimal rest room locations considering cleaning areas and routes, 900 million won will be provided for facility improvement to secure spaces of at least 1.5㎡ per person and appropriate size for the number of personnel. Plans are in place to secure and improve about 30 rest facilities within the year, where workers can not only rest but also shower and do laundry. Additionally, to prevent various safety accidents that may occur during cleaning work, 155 eco-friendly cleaning equipment such as electric carts will be distributed, and safety education operating expenses will be supported.

As of last month, there are a total of 6,775 Hwangyeong Gongmugwan in Seoul City, of which 2,534 belong to autonomous districts, and the remaining 4,241 belong to private consignment companies. Unlike autonomous district Hwangyeong Gongmugwan who mainly clean streets, those belonging to private companies mainly transport and collect volume-based waste, resulting in relatively higher labor intensity and poorer working conditions.