Wage of irregular workers in S. Korea shrinks amid economic slump

By Koh Byung-joon
SEOUL, May 27 (Yonhap) -- Monthly wages of irregular workers in South Korea fell
during the first quarter of this year from a year earlier, hit by a protracted
economic slump and tightened labor markets, a government report showed Wednesday.
Monthly wages of irregular workers including temporary, contract-based and
part-time employees amounted to an average of 1.23 million won (US$982) during
the January-March period, down 3.1 percent from the same period a year earlier,
according to the report by the National Statistical Office.
The contraction was attributed to reduced bonuses and overtime benefits paid to
irregular workers, the report said, suggesting that the life of those placed
under relatively insecure employment status is getting tougher amid a protracted
economic slump.
The data also came as the overall labor market was hit by the global economic
recession, which led companies to reduce recruitment and overall investment.
South Korea's jobless rate stood at 3.8 percent last month. It was down from the
previous month's 4 percent but the decline was mainly due to the government's
efforts to create work in the public sector.
Irregular workers totaled 5.37 million at the end of March, accounting for 33.4
percent of the total working population, the report said.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)