21.8 per cent, and it was the highest rate out of 22 countries. While the rate of low-wage workers has
decreased by 4.54 per cent point during the past ten years, the rate is still one of the highest among
other nations.
22.
Korea’s gender wage gap reflects the hierarchical structure in the labor market where more
women are concentrated in low-wage positions than their male counterparts. According to an article
‘Scale and Current Situation of Irregular Workers: Additional Survey in the Economically Active
Population Survey’ by the National Statistical Office (March 2016), in 2016, monthly wage for
women was 1,760,000 won and for men was 2,920,000 won while monthly wage for irregular
workers was 1,510,000 won and regular workers was 3,110,000 won. Supposing that male regular
worker’s monthly wage 3,500,000 won as 100, male irregular workers received only 52.6 per cent
(1,840,000 won), female regular workers 68 per cent (2,380,000 won), and female irregular workers
35.4 per cent (1,240,000 won), showing wide disparity according to the employment type.
23.
In terms of hourly wage by gender and employment type, in March 2016, male workers
received 16,055 won per hour while female workers received 10,512 won, regular workers receiving
16,985 won, and irregular workers receiving 9,291 won. Supposing that male regular workers receive
100, male irregular workers received its 55.5 per cent, female regular workers 69.5 per cent, and
female irregular workers 43.2 per cent respectively.
Questions
24.
Please provide the reasons behind the continuous gender wage gap while the institutional
tools are in place including the prohibition of gender discrimination in employment and the rule of
‘Equal Pay for Equal Work’ stipulated in the Equal Employment Opportunity and Work Family
Balance Assistance Act.
25.
Please provide in detail what measures are in place by the Government to address the worst
gender wage gap among OECD nations and what alternatives and efforts should be made by private
corporations. Particularly, please provide the Government’s position and concrete measures to achieve
the ‘Gender Equality Wage Public Announcement System’ demanded by women’s groups.
Issue 5: Needs to strengthen penalty for domestic violence
8