What the Korean Laws Provide
Under Korean Laws, the minimum age for teenagers to start working in the country is 15 years old. At age 15, they are allowed to work an 8-hour shift per day or more or less 40 hours per week. But considering their minority, the Korean government has also ensured that their safety will be protected, thus several restrictions are outlined regarding the conditions where they are allowed to work.
Some of the restrictions are the following:
- Minor workers must obtain a permit from government especially if they are under 15-years old
- They are now allowed to work under hazardous environment or any hazardous jobs
- They are not allowed to work on bars and nightclubs
The Youth Employment Act also provides for several restrictions with regard to minors working in Korea. Said act prohibits them from working in jobs which require physical labor or those which expose them to chemicals, radiation, and extreme temperatures. Further, in order to protect their health and well-being, they are only allowed to work up to 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week.
Minimum Wage for Koreans under 18 years of age
While the minimum wage in Korea varies depending on the region where one is employed or the industry which one works for, however minor employees in Korea are entitled to 60% of the present adult minimum wage in the country. Since adult minimum wage is already at 9,620 Korean won in 2024, a minor laborer in Korea can then earn up to 5,772 Korean won per hour.
Companies who hire them are also required to execute employment contracts which specify the working conditions, working hours, and the wages which the teenage employees can receive.
The Korean government has acknowledged the importance of a strong labor force in order to back and develop a strong economy. With the growing number of its adult population, the government has developed strategic policies in order to utilize its most active population. These people are proven to be most promising in terms of employment as they are still very active, full of ideas, and at the same time, they are the ones who crave most for knowledge given their age.
The government has also recognized that working at such a young age can actually give them valuable knowledge and experience. It helps them develop various skills including communication, teamwork, time management and even financial management. Taken together, while teenagers are allowed to work in Korea even before they reach the age of maturity, still the government ensures that their rights as minors will remain to be safeguarded.
