Seoul City Opens First 'Gig Worker Workstation' in Hapjeong... Free Workspace Provided

During Night Hours, 'Hapjeong Idong Laborer Shelter' Mainly Used by Substitute Drivers... Shared with Gig Workers During Daytime

Seoul Hapjeong 'Geek Worker Workstation'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 16th that it will provide free shared workspaces that 'Gig Workers' can conveniently use anytime. The city also plans to support education and in-depth counseling to protect the labor rights and interests of those in the blind spots of labor laws.

'Gig Workers' refer to ultra-short-term workers who work on a one-time basis through digital platforms and short-term contracts. They include full-time freelancers or contract workers engaged in economic activities such as designers, translators/interpreters, programmers, YouTube creators, and private academy instructors. Recently, the number of gig workers has been rapidly increasing along with the development of the gig economy, both domestically and globally.

First, Seoul will establish the first 'Gig Worker Work Station' near Hapjeong Station, a workspace without time restrictions where gig workers who used to move from cafe to cafe can work, hold meetings, and conduct conferences. Any gig worker can use it without any separate procedures.

The 'Gig Worker Work Station 1st Branch (Hapjeong)' is not a newly created space but shares the available daytime hours of the existing 'Hapjeong Mobile Worker Shelter' with gig workers so that more workers can benefit. The plan is to expand the policy beneficiaries, utilize the space during off-peak hours, and save budget simultaneously, achieving a triple benefit.

The first work station (Hapjeong), operating during daytime hours, covers a total area of 252㎡ (76 pyeong) and is very accessible, located just a one-minute walk from Exit 2 of Hapjeong Station. Gig workers can use the space from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and after that time, the space will be used for its original purpose, serving mobile workers such as designated drivers.

The facility includes workspaces such as three 6-person tables and ten single-person tables, as well as a separate training room, a small conference room, and a pantry where light meals can be taken. Client meetings and conferences can be held in the conference and training rooms. In addition to the workspace, regular labor law education, legal and tax consultations will be provided for gig workers, most of whom are freelancers. In particular, close support tailored to their needs will be offered, including intellectual property rights protection education, contract dispute counseling, and comprehensive income tax consulting.

Currently, Seoul operates five shelters for mobile workers such as designated drivers and quick service workers across the city (Seocho, Hapjeong, Bulgwang, Bukchang, Sangam). Starting with the pilot operation in Hapjeong in the first half of the year, the city plans to expand to other shelters by reflecting voices from the field.

Han Young-hee, Director of Labor, Fairness, and Coexistence Policy at Seoul City, said, “The domestic and international gig economy market is rapidly growing every year, naturally increasing the number of gig workers. We plan to prepare customized support measures unique to Seoul, including space support, education, and counseling for gig workers who are in blind spots regarding their working environment and labor rights. Starting with this work station utilizing idle spaces, we will continuously seek ways to expand the beneficiaries of our policies.”

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