A Survey of Working Conditions of Migrant Workers

Hong, Yun Chul; Ha, Eun Hee

Abstract

The number of migrant workers staying in Korea is 73,250 August 1994 now by the data which Economic Planning Agency presented to the National Assembly. Industrial trainees were reported to be 17,640 and illegal stayers were 55,610 but many migrant workers did not seem to be included. There are some reports which described the unfulfillment of their basic right such as discrimination of wage, delay of payment, long working hours, enforced work, but working conditions, work environment and their health were not surveyed well. Therefore this survey is to study their situation such as working conditions, work environment, health and living conditions as well as general characteristics. Questionnaire was written by plain English and was made of closed question mainly. Finally 185 persons completed the questionnaire. The results are as follows; 1) The general characteristics are following: ages are mostly between 20 and 29 years old, and males are more than females, and mostly unmarried. Many were students in their countries and their education levels were high. 2) Many persons; were introduced to Korea by native broker. Total cost for coming to Korea was mostly over $1,000 and many paid over $2,000. Their staying period in Korea is mostly over 2 years arid many persons think their status uneasy. The most important purpose for coming to Korea is to earn money. 3) Many are working in garment factories but most factories are small scale: ones below 20 employees. Most are working over 10 hours a day. The average income is $480 and that is about 54.8% of average income of Korean workers. Unpaid salaries are about $921 per each worker. 4) 15.8% of migrant workers answered to have experienced industrial accidents. Their health status seems to be worse after coming to Korea. The resident environment was very poor. We knew that migrant workers' situation was very bad considering their working conditions, work environment, health and living conditions. Therefore, employment policy of migrant workers must be reviewed immediately and good working conditions must be provided to them as soon as possible.