Caregivers Demand "100,000 Won Hazard Pay and Employment Security"

The Gwangju branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Care Service Labor Union held a press conference on the morning of the 11th in front of the Gwangju office of the Democratic Party of Korea, urging the payment of hazard pay and the guarantee of employment security for care workers.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] The Gwangju branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Care Service Labor Union on the 11th urged, "Guarantee a risk allowance of 100,000 won per month and employment security for care workers who are overworked with long working hours."

They held a press conference in front of the Democratic Party of Korea Gwangju City Party Office that morning and said, "There is no state protection and support for care workers, who are essential workers in name only."

The Gwangju branch of the Care Service Labor Union emphasized, "Care workers have been enduring even more intense labor than before being called essential workers and have been protecting the care field. During the COVID-19 period, their noses were chapped from undergoing COVID tests every weekend and self-isolating, and they could not get proper rest while isolated from their families."

They also claimed that due to a shortage of personnel, they do not receive paid holiday benefits despite the application of statutory holidays.

They said, "In the field, care worker staffing is not properly carried out, so substitute holidays are being used. Especially at night, it is common for one care worker to take care of multiple elderly people, but private facilities tell them to use night substitute holidays without increasing staff," criticizing the situation.

They added, "The working conditions of care workers affect the dignified care of the elderly. Improving the treatment of care workers is also a measure for the safety of the elderly, and services without additional staffing threaten the safety of the elderly."

The Gwangju branch of the Care Service Labor Union said, "The government and the ruling party should no longer ignore care workers who are defined as essential workers but suffer from low treatment and anxiety about possible dismissal," and urged, "We call for the prompt establishment of support measures without discrimination."

The Care Service Labor Union plans to engage in nationwide collective action on the 25th, marking the 13th anniversary of the implementation of the Long-Term Care Insurance for the Elderly.

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