“Discussion Needed on Various Aspects Such as Domestic Law, International Agreements, Illegal Stay”
The Presidential Office stated on the 23rd that there needs to be “sufficient social discussion” regarding the argument that minimum wage should be applied to foreign domestic helpers.
A Presidential Office official, in a meeting with reporters on that day, stated, “When considering domestic law, international agreements, and the practical aspects such as illegal stay, a thorough social discussion is necessary based on the examination of applying differential minimum wage to foreign domestic helpers. This is the position of the government and the presidential office.”
The official added, “As part of various measures to alleviate childcare burdens, we are launching a pilot project utilizing foreign labor and plan to find practical ways that provide substantial assistance.”
The official also explained, “Philippine helpers participating in the pilot project in Seoul are subject to the application of minimum wage according to international labor agreements. There has been no pursuit of private contracts.”
The foreign domestic helper system was proposed and pursued as part of the low birth rate countermeasure by Mayor Oh Se-hoon. When concerns were raised about the cost-effectiveness of the project, Mayor Oh requested the Ministry of Justice to allow setting the monthly wage for foreign domestic helpers below the minimum wage.
This service, provided through government-to-government negotiations rather than individual contracts, allows Philippine helpers to receive a monthly wage of 2.38 million won when working full-time for 8 hours a day at the minimum wage of 9,860 won per hour this year, which is higher than the average wage of local workers in the Philippines and higher than the wages of foreign domestic helpers in Singapore and Hong Kong.
In Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and some other countries, domestic helpers are not subject to the domestic minimum wage. In Hong Kong, helpers receive a minimum of 770,000 won per month, while in Singapore, they receive between 400,000 to 600,000 won.
The government’s position is that due to the International Labour Organization (ILO) convention prohibiting wage discrimination between domestic and foreign workers, ensuring the minimum wage is inevitable. The government also raises concerns about the possibility of foreign domestic helpers seeking higher-paying jobs and attempting illegal stays.
The Minjoo Party of Korea (Democratic Party) also opposes wage differentiation for foreigners, stating that it is a violation of international norms and unfair discrimination. As the expansion of foreign labor is inevitable due to Korea’s low birth rate and aging society, there are suggestions that a long-term social discussion process is necessary amidst fierce opposition.
In 2019, when the leader of the Liberty Korea Party (predecessor of the People Power Party), Hwang Kyo-ahn, proposed applying differential minimum wage to foreign workers, the proposal was only quelled through political wrangling instead of serious discussions.