"I Only Want Franchise Part-Time Jobs Now"...Young People Flocking to Large Corporation Part-Time Jobs

Preference for Brand Part-Time Jobs Increases Due to Differences in Working Conditions
Lower Rate of Below Minimum Wage as Business Size Grows

Kim Hyundong (25), who lives in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, was recently fired from a part-time job at a cafe. Due to the store's difficult situation, he was asked not to come in starting next week as the owner planned to run the place alone. He said, "At first, I applied because it was close to home and I could receive weekly holiday pay, but my working hours gradually decreased until this happened," adding, "From now on, I plan to apply only to well-known large corporate stores where I can know the exact salary and store situation rather than other conditions."

A 'Help Wanted' notice is posted in front of a restaurant in Gwanak-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yeom Dayeon]

As such, more young people are hoping to work part-time at large corporations or franchise brand stores. This is because these places offer advantages in terms of working conditions and job stability. Consequently, there are voices saying that it is difficult to find young workers even when small-scale businesses need them.

According to a survey by the part-time job platform Albamon on the 9th, 64.1% of Gen Z (those born from the mid-1990s to early 2000s) part-timers last year answered that they would prefer to work at a brand-name part-time job if possible. The most common reason, at 87.3%, was that they believed such workplaces would comply with labor standards laws, including weekly holiday pay.

In fact, it has been found that smaller workplaces are more likely to fail to comply with the legal minimum wage or weekly holiday pay. According to the '2023 Minimum Wage Underpayment Rate Analysis' report released by the Korea Employers Federation in May, 32.7% of workers at workplaces with fewer than five employees did not receive the minimum wage last year. When reflecting the legally mandated paid weekly holiday hours, the rate rises to 49.4%.

Lee (29), who worked at a restaurant in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, said, "Most of the time, I received less than the salary I was supposed to get, so I was always arguing on payday," revealing, "I even found out that although they paid me after tax, they had not paid the four major social insurance premiums, so I eventually quit." He added, "I am considering filing a complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor. I want to work at a place where I don't have to be stressed by these issues."

On the other hand, small business owners also feel unfairly treated. Mr. A (70), who runs a restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul, said, "I want to hire young part-timers, but even if I offer a bit more than the minimum wage, there are not many applicants," adding, "Even when I barely hire someone, they often quit after a few days, so now even the cost of posting job ads is burdensome." He continued, "I hope people understand that while some small stores may have poor conditions, there are many that do not."

Professor Kang Sungjin of Korea University’s Department of Economics analyzed, "For small-scale stores, the burden of weekly holiday pay and other costs is significant, so working conditions inevitably become worse compared to large corporations. This situation has arisen as both young people and small business owners face unstable structures."

Experts advised that it is necessary to consider ways to encourage improvements in working conditions to attract younger generations. Professor Ha Jungkyung of Hanyang University’s Department of Economics said, "There needs to be discussion on providing consulting for improving working conditions and know-how on personnel management to small businesses," adding, "They must have various competitive advantages not only in wages but also in future growth potential and working environment."