“When asked about working teenagers... 'Stronger labour rights protection is needed’, 26 December 2024

[Unofficial translation provided by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

A recent survey has found that [South Korean] teenagers are most likely to take their first part-time job in their first year of high school. However, they are often placed in work environments where even basic labour laws are not followed, and many are exposed to various labour issues. Even when they experience unfair treatment or human rights violations, a large number do not take any action.

... The survey showed that 48.7% of respondents had received some form of labour rights education, meaning fewer than half had been educated on their legal protections.

... 45% of employers were found not to be following the legal requirement to provide written employment contracts.

... The centre stated, "One-third of the teenagers who responded were unaware of whether they were enrolled in the four major social insurance schemes, suggesting that they might not be covered."

... The centre also noted, "We were able to confirm that young workers are facing a range of labour issues in workplaces where even the Labour Standards Act is not being observed."

The survey revealed that 56.5% of respondents who had experienced unfair treatment or human rights violations did not take any action.

The centre added, "Only 33.6% of the respondents were able to take their legally required rest breaks, while 47.1% either had no break time at all or had to work during their break." It also found that "40% of teenagers were forced to rest in their work areas, with no separate break rooms provided."