Part-Time Worker Rights in Korea: What You're Entitled To

1. ·Labor Standards Act Art. 18 ①: A part-time worker's working conditions must be determined in proportion to the scheduled working hours of a full-time worker performing the same type of work at the same workplace.
2. ·Labor Standards Act Art. 18 ②: Specific standards for determining those proportional conditions are set by Presidential Decree.
3. ·Labor Standards Act Art. 18 ③: Workers whose scheduled weekly hours average less than 15 hours over 4 weeks (or over the actual working period if shorter) are EXEMPT from Art. 55 (weekly rest day) and Art. 60 (annual paid leave).
4. ·Employment Insurance Act Art. 10-2: Foreign workers covered by the Foreign Workers Employment Act are subject to employment insurance. Other foreign nationals may be partially covered depending on their visa status and stay period, as determined by Presidential Decree.
5. ·Wage Claim Guarantee Act Art. 7 & 7-2: If an employer cannot pay wages (e.g., due to bankruptcy or court-ordered insolvency), the Minister of Employment and Labor may pay unpaid wages on behalf of the employer — this protection also applies to part-time workers.

1. ·You have a labor contract (written or verbal) and are recognized as an 'employee' (근로자) under Korean law.
2. ·You work fewer hours per week than the standard full-time workers at your workplace.
3. ·For the 15-hour threshold (Art. 18 ③): calculated as an average over 4 weeks (or actual period if less than 4 weeks).
4. ·For employment insurance (Art. 10-2): your visa type and stay period must meet the conditions set by Presidential Decree if you are not covered by the Foreign Workers Employment Act.

1. 1Step 1 — Check your weekly scheduled hours: Calculate your average scheduled hours over the past 4 weeks to determine whether you are above or below the 15-hour threshold.
2. 2Step 2 — Confirm your proportional pay: Compare your hourly wage and working hours to full-time workers doing the same job. Your pay and conditions should reflect the proportion (Art. 18 ①).
3. 3Step 3 — Review your written labor contract: Part-time workers should have a written contract specifying hours, wages, and rest. Keep a copy.
4. 4Step 4 — If wages are unpaid or rights are violated: Visit or call the nearest 고용노동부 지청 (Labor Office). You can file a 진정 (complaint) free of charge. Call 1350 for multilingual support.
5. 5Step 5 — If employer is insolvent and wages are unpaid: Apply for 대지급금 (wage claim guarantee) through the Ministry of Employment and Labor under the Wage Claim Guarantee Act Art. 7.

Ministry of Employment and Labor regional office (고용노동부 지청) — free complaint filing. Call center: 1350 (available in multiple languages).

1. ·Assuming all part-time rights are the same regardless of hours: the 15-hour/week threshold under Art. 18 ③ removes entitlement to weekly rest (Art. 55) and annual leave (Art. 60).
2. ·Not having a written labor contract: without it, it is harder to prove agreed hours and wages.
3. ·Missing that proportional pay applies: even part-time workers must receive wages proportional to full-time workers in the same role — not an arbitrary lower amount.
4. ·Assuming foreign workers are automatically excluded from employment insurance: depending on visa type, partial or full coverage may apply (Art. 10-2).
5. ·Waiting too long to file a wage complaint: while the specific statute of limitations is not in the provided articles, delays reduce evidence quality and may affect claims — act promptly.