SEOUL – The South Korean presidential office emphasized on Friday the need for comprehensive social discussions regarding the potential differentiation of minimum wage rates for foreign domestic helpers. This statement comes in response to evolving public debates and pilot programs addressing the country’s demographic challenges.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the issue surfaced following the arrival of Filipino women earlier this month, who are participating in a Seoul metropolitan government pilot program aimed at alleviating child care burdens and bolstering the national birth rate. Currently, these helpers, like local workers, receive a minimum wage of 9,860 won (US$7.36) per hour, or approximately 1.19 million won per month for a four-hour daily schedule. Advocates for a differentiated wage system argue that the existing rate is economically burdensome for average households and out of step with international standards.
“The position of the government and the presidential office is that this requires sufficient social discussion based on a review of practical issues, such as illegal stays, while considering domestic laws and international treaties,” the official explained, indicating the complexities involved in adjusting wage policies that could affect the cost and legality of hiring foreign labor.
Further complicating the issue, the justice ministry’s pilot program differs from Seoul’s by allowing the hiring of foreign students and residents through online platforms under private contracts, which exempts these arrangements from the standard minimum wage requirements. This disparity highlights the varied approaches being tested and the need for a unified policy framework that respects both economic realities and international labor standards.