"Looking for Tower Palace Move-in Assistant with a Monthly Salary of 4.5 Million Won"... Controversy Over Job Posting

Mixed Reactions Over Salary Payment

A job posting seeking a live-in assistant for Tower Palace in Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, with a monthly salary of 4.5 million won is causing controversy.

Recently, a post titled "Tower Palace (Dogok) Live-in Assistant" was uploaded on the secondhand trading platform 'Danggeun'. According to the announcement, working from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., offers a monthly salary of 3.8 to 4 million won. If working six days a week, including Saturday, the maximum monthly salary can reach 4.5 million won.

The poster, Mr. A, who posted the job announcement, said, "We are looking for someone who can move into Tower Palace in Dogok. The hours and salary are negotiable," adding, "There is a 3-year-old and a 40-day-old newborn; the older child is cared for by the mother. We are looking for someone to mainly take care of the newborn." He continued, "Preference will be given to those with newborn care experience, and we hope for applicants who can be like family."

[Image source=Pixabay]

However, netizens showed mixed reactions regarding the announcement. Opinions were divided between those who thought the salary was low and those who thought it was not. Netizens claiming the salary was low responded with comments such as, "Do you know how hard it is to take care of a newborn?", "As a live-in assistant, it would be difficult to strictly keep working hours," and "The salary is low. Aren't you supposed to take care of the child, clean, do laundry, and cook? Also, as a live-in assistant, wouldn't you have to care for the newborn if they cry at night?"

On the other hand, some netizens responded, "A monthly salary of 4.5 million won means an annual income exceeding 50 million won. Do you think earning 50 million won is easy?", "Earning 4 to 4.5 million won a month is very difficult; how can that be considered a low amount? I just don't understand," and "There are many people who earn less than 50 million won a year despite working under much worse conditions in companies."

[Image source=Used trading platform 'Danggeun']

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Employment and Labor recently announced that negotiations for a pilot project for domestic helpers with the Philippines have been completed, and they plan to recruit 100 domestic helpers from the Philippines this month. The 100 Filipino domestic helpers are expected to enter Korea in July after going through first and second interviews, health checkups, and Korean language tests. After arrival, they will undergo four weeks of training in Korean language and culture, so they are expected to be deployed on-site in August.

The wages will be set based on the minimum wage. Considering a Ministry of Employment and Labor survey that young dual-income couples prefer helpers for 4 to 5 hours a day, 3 to 4 days a week, the cost is expected to be around 1 million won per month. The ministry plans to make detailed adjustments to the policy direction after a six-month pilot project.