28 Out of 30 Local Governments Found Violating Labor Laws; 1,833 Workers on '364-Day Contracts'

It has been revealed that 28 out of 30 local governments have violated labor laws in 113 instances, including discriminatory practices regarding allowances for non-regular workers and the use of "split contracts."

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced the results of its "Planned Inspection on Labor Condition Compliance for Non-Regular Workers in Local Governments," which has been conducted since March, today (June 23).

Labor law violations were uncovered in 28 of the 30 local governments subject to the inspection.

Three local governments failed to pay allowances to fixed-term workers, withholding 100 million won in payments from 66 individuals.

The inspection also identified one local government that failed to pay 2.5 million won in severance pay to a fixed-term worker who had effectively worked for over a year through repeated, formal short-term contracts.

By type of violation, there were 13 cases of violating the Fixed-Term Workers Act regarding employment contracts, 12 cases of violating the Labor Standards Act regarding the settlement of wages, and 12 cases of failing to pay wages and benefits.

One local government was found to have denied welfare points to 44 fixed-term workers performing the same duties as others without any reasonable justification.

Furthermore, it was confirmed that all 30 local governments still engage in unreasonable employment practices, such as short-term, repetitive contracts and the failure to implement pre-hiring review systems.

In 27 institutions, "trick contracts" designed to avoid paying severance were widespread.

There were 2,117 workers on contracts lasting 11 months or more but less than a year, and 1,833 workers on 364-day contracts.

Seven institutions had not introduced a pre-hiring review system for dispatched or contracted workers.

Three institutions hired 240 fixed-term workers without going through the pre-hiring review system even after the system had been introduced.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has issued immediate corrective orders for the illegal practices uncovered during this inspection.

The ministry plans to respond sternly, including potential legal action, if these orders are not followed.

Guidance has also been provided to improve unreasonable employment practices such as split contracts, and the ministry intends to conduct repeated on-site inspections until improvements are made.

Follow-up measures are also being implemented, including the payment of "fairness allowances" for fixed-term workers employed for less than a year, which was announced last April.

Based on the results of a fact-finding survey scheduled to continue until August, the Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to conduct regular inspections on non-regular workers across 200 public sector institutions.

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon emphasized, "Split contracts and similar practices in the public sector can no longer be tolerated under the guise of custom," adding, "We will start with the public sector to create workplaces where the labor value of workers is respected."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.