Increase in Posts for Tasks Like Locking Doors and Replacing Faucets
Wide Range of Pay from 5,000 Won to 30,000 Won per Task
As the recession and employment freeze sweep through, unique side jobs that allow easy and simple income generation are gaining attention. Experts analyze that those who cannot secure regular jobs are increasingly turning to more specialized task-oriented side jobs within part-time work.
According to the job search platform Danggeun Alba on the 17th, job postings in the 'Errands and Side Jobs' category among short-term part-time jobs are actively being posted. On that day, in Gangnam-gu, a post titled 'Someone to lock up OOO-dong' was listed with a wage of '5,000 won per task.' The posting attracted 22 applicants within 30 minutes and was closed within an hour.
In Mapo-gu, Seoul, a posting titled 'Someone to organize the dressing table' was made. The author wrote, "Looking for someone to sort out expired cosmetics," adding, "Since a woman lives alone, preference is given to the same gender, and the wage is 30,000 won." Additionally, on the same day, several postings appeared such as 'Someone to replace the kitchen faucet,' 'Someone to pick up laundry from the dry cleaner,' and 'Someone to open champagne corks.' A representative from Danggeun Alba stated, "The number of applications for short-term part-time jobs from January 1 to 15 this year has more than doubled compared to the same period last year," and added, "The overall number of short-term part-time job postings is on the rise, with the increase in the errands and side jobs category being particularly noticeable."
These unique side jobs are gaining popularity, driven by diverse demand from regular employees and job seekers. Lee Kyung-yi (35), an office worker living in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, said, "Although I have a job, my regular income is tight, so I take on side jobs that fit my schedule as a form of extra work," adding, "It doesn't require much time, and I can earn some pocket money outside of working hours, so I think it's not bad." Job seeker Kang (29) said, "This is my second year preparing for employment, and I felt sorry to ask my parents for money, so I looked for simple jobs that don't take much time and participated," adding, "The amount isn't large enough for pocket money, but I'm satisfied to be able to increase my income this way."
On a morning when the temperature dropped below minus 5 degrees Celsius, commuters dressed in thick clothing are passing through the Sejongno intersection in Seoul. Photo by Heo Young-han
Experts cite the employment freeze caused by emergency declarations and political turmoil as the background for the increase in these unique side jobs. According to Statistics Korea, the number of employed people in December last year was 28,041,000, marking a decrease for the first time in 3 years and 10 months since the height of COVID-19 in 2021. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed increased by more than 170,000, recording the largest increase during the same period. The unemployment rate also hit 3.8%, the highest in three years.
Lee Byung-hoon, emeritus professor of sociology at Chung-Ang University, said, "Errands and side jobs can be seen as more specialized tasks than short-term part-time jobs, and the increase in people wanting these jobs means it is becoming harder to find stable jobs such as regular employment," adding, "With recent domestic and international issues dampening consumer sentiment and the overall employment market stagnating, this seems to have become a trend."
Yang Seung-hoon, professor of sociology at Gyeongnam University, pointed out, "While some may participate in errands and side jobs out of curiosity or for fun, fundamentally, there is a shared understanding that living is difficult as is and that they need to increase their income even a little," adding, "This should be interpreted as indicating that stable living is difficult due to the structure of the labor market."
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