Welcome to BASE21

By Cho Moon-hee, Chief Counselor of FWR

In this new year, 2002, my wish is for all migrant workers in Korea is for you to work in better conditions. And in this edition of Counselling, I'd like to talk to you about the unpaid salary questions that you asked FWR during 2001.

Firstly, the unpaid salary problem occupied 124 or 41.6 per cent of all the counselling cases handled by FWR in 2001. It means that unpaid salary is a very common problem for migrant workers. And for those who did ask FWR consultants about unpaid salary, the main complaint was that they didn't get last month's money amounts that were usually less than one month's salary.

In 3D industries, where most migrant workers are employed, workers are usually paid their salary one month late. For example, let's assume that Mr. A started working on Jan. 7 and his salary day is the 15th of every month. You would be right in guessing that he gets his salary for 25 days work, Jan.7∼31, on Feb. 15.
If he quits the company on Mar. 15 he is paid for February's work, but he cannot get pay for the 15 days' he worked in March. He might have difficulty getting his money from his ex-boss, who might be reluctant to pay ex-worker's small amounts of money.

Of course, Korean Labour Law says that a worker should be paid all their salary within 14 days after quitting. But it is rare for employers, especially in 3D industries, to obey the labour laws. I think the structure of 3D industry makes this a reality. So many migrant workers request help to get their small amounts of salary and I expect that salary problems like this, will increase.

In these cases, when I contact an employer who is the owner of a company concerned, he/she often says, "I'll solve that next month or later", or "I'll not pay because the worker was very rude". And sometimes he/she uses phrases like, "suddenly quitting", or "there is no salary left if I subtract the price of something which I gave you from your unpaid money".

It is right that you should be entitled to protection by Labour Law regarding salary problems, but the law is not the only way to solve problems in our society. If you want to quit a company, you should, at least, talk about your decision with your employer in advance or not touch anything that the company gives you; for example, rent. By doing that you would not give your boss reason not to pay your salary.

In 2002, I hope you all live better and your work situations are safer and healthier.