The government of South Korea is implementing an increase in the salary of all its workers including the foreign workers that are under the Employment Permit System. The good news was announced in the official website of the Labor Department.

The Labor Attache in POLO Korea, Felicitas Q. Bay reported to Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz that the Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) sets 38,880 Korean won for eight hours of work a day, or a monthly rate of KRW 1,015,740 Korean won (equivalent to USD 958.00) as the minimum daily wage. This rate is effective from 1 January until 31 December this year.

It is a 5.76 percent increase as the previous minimum wage rate is 36,640 Korean won for eight hours of work. The increase though does not cover domestic workers, seafarers, disabled workers and those working for family businesses.

The salary increase was recommended by the Minimum Wage Council of Korea after its annual review. The new policy also requires also mandates all employers in Korea to offer a salary that is not lower than the minimum rate.

The council is a group composed of representatives from management, labor, and public interest, mainly academics, that determines the minimum wage through a system that guarantees minimum livelihood for workers.

Baldoz welcome the wage increase as a good news for OFWs in Korea. She also advised the Filipinos that they can always seek the help of the nearest POLO center if ever their employer is not complying with the minimum salary law.