Oh Se-hoon "Welcomes Discussions on Reducing Costs for Foreign Domestic Caregivers"

On the 22nd, via Facebook, "Seeking a Social Solution"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon expressed his "welcome" stance after the presidential office and the ruling party mentioned the need to reduce the costs of foreign domestic workers.

On the 22nd, Mayor Oh wrote on Facebook, "The presidential office and the ruling party have begun to explore ways to lower the costs of foreign domestic helpers, including applying differentiated minimum wages. It has already been two years since I first proposed this at the Cabinet meeting," adding, "Although slow, it is fortunate that concrete institutional discussions have finally begun."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is holding a press briefing on the 11th at Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, regarding the controversy over the construction of a 100m high Taegeukgi flagpole at Gwanghwamun Square. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Seoul City, together with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, is about to launch a pilot project for Filipino domestic workers. Starting in September, the project will begin in 157 households, with the minimum wage applied, requiring a payment of 2.38 million won per month based on 8 hours of use per day, which has been criticized as "too expensive." Referring to this, Mayor Oh said, "Many people are suffering or giving up life opportunities due to the labor shortage and high costs of domestic workers," adding, "It is the role of politics to provide hopeful options to many who are struggling with the walls of livelihood and childcare."

He did not insist on the most frequently mentioned cost reduction measure, "differentiated minimum wage." Mayor Oh explained, "Following the Ministry of Justice's logic to worry about side effects such as illegal stay and to not even attempt to reduce the costs of foreign domestic helpers is putting the cart before the horse," and added, "There are other ways besides differentiated minimum wages. If the user directly employs a foreign domestic helper through a private contract, the minimum wage may not apply."

He also stated, "Seoul City sent an official letter to the government earlier this year requesting the establishment of a separate visa to allow the employment of foreign domestic workers through private contracts and is making multifaceted efforts," and urged, "Due to the upcoming population cliff, not only childcare but also nursing care will face an even more severe labor shortage. We urge the relevant government departments to participate in this discussion and seek social solutions together."

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