Activity of 71-year-old Kim Ok-ran as the Oldest Stylist
Working Flexibly According to Schedule, Physical Condition, and Situation
As the aging society accelerates, Coway's 'Codi' is gaining attention as a positive job category for senior women.
According to Coway on the 4th, women aged 60 and over account for about 10% of Codi members. The oldest Codi currently active is 71-year-old Kim Ok-ran.
The number of senior women seeking employment for various reasons such as contributing to household income, self-development, and maintaining health is rapidly increasing. However, many jobs impose age restrictions, and most positions are short-term and simple labor, making it difficult for women over 60 to find employment.
Since 1998, Coway has actively encouraged women's social advancement by establishing and operating a partnership called Codi, which involves door-to-door inspection and sales. Codis operate as door-to-door inspection sales agents (freelance income earners) under a delegation contract with Coway, receiving commissions for sales and inspection tasks. They not only sell Coway products to customers but also provide management services such as regular inspections and filter replacements for rented products.
Unlike other job categories where age, gender, and experience can be disadvantages, many customers are housewives, making it easier for senior women to adapt to the work. Since most customers are also housewives, Codis have the advantage of approaching customers without causing discomfort as fellow women.
The biggest advantage of being a Codi is that they are freelance income earners. There is no fixed retirement age or working hours, allowing them to work freely according to their own schedule, physical condition, and circumstances. They can actively enter into and terminate contracts with the company at their discretion. Many Codis have multiple contracts with the company, quitting and restarting work as needed according to personal circumstances.
Coway supports Codis with various assistance and benefits. To help Codis settle quickly into their work, digital technologies such as the 'Codi Matching Service' and 'Augmented Reality (AR) Catalog' are provided. Health checkups are conducted every two years for active Codis, and various benefits are offered, including holiday and anniversary gifts, support for congratulatory and condolence events, and full company payment of industrial accident insurance premiums, a national insurance system.
A Coway representative said, “The Codi job category not only provides diversity in employment in our society but also contributes to creating jobs for senior women. Coway will continue to support the Codi partnership so that this job category can create more value in society.”
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