Gwangju Women and Family Foundation Conducts Survey of 1,035 Participants
Employed and Unemployed Women Call for Flexible Working Hours
In the case of female workers in the Gwangju area, satisfaction levels are generally high regarding current job content, aptitude, employment stability, and work-life balance, but satisfaction with wage levels was found to be low. This suggests that female workers place more importance on job content and aptitude than on wages when it comes to job satisfaction.
The Gwangju Women’s Foundation recently conducted an "Economic Activity Survey" targeting 525 employed women and 510 unemployed women aged 24 to 54 in the region, and published "Gender Infographics No. 27."
According to the "Implications of the Economic Activity Survey Results of Women in the Gwangju Area" released by the Gwangju Women and Family Foundation on the 15th, employed women in Gwangju experience economic difficulties (44.6%) and psychological difficulties (42.4%), with an average employment period of 5.97 years. Additionally, many respondents indicated that they would continue working if the job matched their aptitude and content, even if the salary level was relatively low.
Among unemployed women, only 40.0% responded that their desired job and industry were "related to their major." Reasons for unemployment were cited as "trying to find a job that suits me better" (45.9%), "difficulty finding employment in the major field" (31.1%), and "wanting to try a different job" (30.4%). These response rates suggest the need for support not only in job aptitude but also in understanding and experiencing various job roles to promote women’s employment.
Employed women emphasized the importance of "expanding flexible work arrangements such as reduced working hours" (17.5%) to prevent career interruptions, while unemployed women highlighted the need for "expanding various part-time job opportunities" (52.4%) to solve employment issues. This confirms the necessity for "work hour flexibility" in small and medium-sized enterprises in the Gwangju area.
Kim Kyung-rye, CEO of the Gwangju Women and Family Foundation, stated, "The results of this survey imply that innovation in work methods is necessary to prevent career interruptions for employed women and to support unemployed women’s employment in a reality where women’s labor-centered life is taken for granted. The foundation will continue to strive to improve work culture and provide support for women’s economic activities."
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