"'I Can't Even Receive My Severance Pay Properly' Tears of Non-Regular Workers"

Increase in Non-Regular Workers Reporting Damage Due to COVID-19
8.5% of Non-Regular Workers "Suffered Recommended Resignation, Dismissal, or Contract Termination Due to COVID-19"
Experts "Non-Regular Workers More Vulnerable... Need More Active Measures Like On-Site Supervision"

On the afternoon of April 20th, citizens and others who came out for lunch are walking on the Youth Street in Jongno-gu, Jonggak, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] "They reduced working hours, and now they are even giving layoff notices."

A (29), who worked as a one-year contract employee, said that she was recently notified of contract termination due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

A said, "From the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, I was informed that working hours would be shortened. I thought the unilateral notice was unfair, but as a contract worker, how could I have voiced any complaints?" She added, "I endured it all, but in the end, what I received was contract termination."

She said, "The company said the business situation is bad and they cannot pay severance immediately, and my salary has been low for the past few months, so I think my unemployment benefits will also be low," adding, "I feel at a loss about how to live until I find another job."

As the COVID-19 crisis prolongs and corporate economies worsen, the number of workers receiving layoff or contract termination notices is increasing. In particular, non-regular workers are identified as suffering more severe damage. Experts suggest that the government should continuously highlight these issues.

It was found that 4 out of 10 workers experienced income reduction due to the COVID-19 impact.

According to the 'COVID-19 and Changes in Work Life' report announced at a press conference held by Workplace Gapjil 119 and the Public Solidarity Fund on April 27 at the Public Solidarity Fund office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, 47.5% of respondents answered, "My income decreased due to COVID-19." This response was especially higher among non-regular workers (66.3%) compared to regular workers (35.0%).

The percentage of workers who experienced recommended resignation, layoff, or contract termination due to COVID-19 was 5.5%. Among them, 8.5% were non-regular workers and 3.5% were regular workers. Oh Jin-ho, general staff of Workplace Gapjil 119, pointed out, "This shows who the social crisis of COVID-19 is more fatal to."

On the afternoon of the 25th of last month, citizens wearing masks are using buses at a bus stop near the Express Bus Terminal Station in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

As a result, workers are united in saying that detailed measures to protect their rights are necessary.

There are still many workers who are not protected, such as those who become so-called 'disguised freelancers' by changing only the employment type from existing 1-2 year contracts to external freelancers, or those who lose their jobs but do not receive severance pay. Some also complained that their average income decreased due to unpaid leave before contract expiration, resulting in reduced unemployment benefit amounts.

Experts foresee that the Ministry of Employment and Labor should take a more proactive stance to prepare measures so that employers can have a sense of responsibility and protect workers.

Park Hye-young, an activist from the Labor Health Solidarity, said, "It is certain that there are illegal parts under the Labor Standards Act. Especially in the COVID-19 era, it is clear that these non-regular workers are much more vulnerable, yet the Ministry of Employment and Labor has not come up with any measures."

Park added, "Even if the Ministry operates an anonymous reporting center, there is a limit in that there is no way to know unless these issues continue to be highlighted," emphasizing, "They talk about manpower shortages, but nonetheless, they must prioritize and conduct on-site inspections in some way."

She further suggested, "Just like recently sending emergency disaster messages to inform employers of quarantine rules, strong warning messages should be sent. Everyone should know the answer to the question 'Who should employers protect during this period?' Only then can everyone monitor or feel a sense of responsibility."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that it will operate an anonymous reporting center for leave, absence, and vacation violations temporarily for three months from April to the 30th of this month.

The Ministry explained, "Along with guidance for improvement of illegal matters, we plan to provide information on utilizing related systems such as employment retention subsidies to support maintaining workers' employment as much as possible."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.