Seoul to Directly Pay Wages to Indirect Construction Workers, Including Equipment Signalers

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The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on March 4 that, starting this March, it will fully implement a system requiring direct payment of wages to all construction workers at city-commissioned construction sites.

This system was established as a result of the city's "50th Construction Sector Deregulation Initiative" announced in February of last year. Through consultations with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the scope of direct wage payment has been broadened. As a result, indirect workers involved in quality and safety-such as equipment signalers and traffic controllers-who were previously excluded from direct payment and thus faced a high risk of wage arrears, are now included as eligible recipients.

With the expansion of direct wage payment to all construction workers, Seoul can now provide its ongoing construction job innovation policies-such as paid weekly leave and safety allowances-to every worker. The city plans to extend this system not only to its own commissioned projects but also to public construction sites throughout Seoul, including those managed by affiliated investment and funded institutions as well as district offices.

Kim Seungwon, Director of Construction Technology Policy at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "This expanded implementation is a result of active discussions with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, breaking down outdated regulatory barriers and fostering a healthy work environment where no construction worker is left out and everyone is paid fairly." He added, "We will spare no administrative support to achieve zero wage arrears at city-commissioned sites and to improve the employment environment for construction workers."

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