J Agric Med Community Health.  2024 Mar;49(1):1-12. 10.5393/JAMCH.2024.49.1.001.

Presenteeism in Agricultural, Forestry and Fishing Workers: Based on the 6th Korean Working Conditions Survey

• Hong SH
• Jang EC
• Kwon SC
• Lee HY
• Song MJ
• Kim JS
• Moon ME
• Kim SH
• Yun JS
• Min YS

• KMID: 2562689
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2024.49.1.001

Abstract

Objectives
Presenteeism is known to be a much more economically damaging social cost than disease rest while going to work despite physical pain. Since COVID-19, social discussions on the sickness benefit have been taking place as a countermeasure against presenteeism, and in particular, farmers and fishermen do not have an institutional mechanism for livelihood support when a disease other than work occurs. This study attempted to examine the relationship between agricultural, fishing, and forestry workers and presenteeism using the 6th Korean Work Conditions Survey.
Methods
From October 2020 to January 2021, data from the 6th working conditions survey conducted on 17 cities and provinces in Korea were used, and a total of 34,981 people were studied. Control variables were gender, age, self-health assessment, education level, night work, shift work, monthly income, occupation, working hours per week, and employment status.
Results
As a result of the analysis, farmers and fishermen showed the characteristics of the self-employed and the elderly, and as a result of the regression analysis, when farmers and fishermen analyzed the relationship with presenteeism tendency compared to other industry workers, farmers and fishermen increased by 23% compared to other industry groups.
Conclusion
This study is significant in that it has representation by utilizing the 6th working conditions survey and objectively suggests the need for a sickness benefit for farmers and fishermen who may be overlooked in the sickness benefit.

Keyword

Presenteeism; Agricultural Workers; Sickness Benefit