Back

Job preparation

A comprehensive overview of workers' rights, from employment contracts to wage arrears.

📄 Employment Contract

An employment contract is an essential document that protects the rights of both workers and employers.

You can prevent unnecessary disputes by clarifying key working conditions such as wages and working hours.


Why should I use it?

An employment contract is a document that clearly defines core working conditions such as wages and working hours, and is essential to protect the rights of both workers and employers .


What if I don't write an employment contract?

If the employer does not enter into or deliver a written employment contract, a fine of up to 5 million won will be imposed.

However, temporary and part-time workers may also be subject to the same punishment.


How should I use it?

The employment contract must specify wages, working hours, holidays, annual leave, paid vacation, etc.

You can write it more easily by referring to the standard employment contract distributed by the Ministry of Employment and Labor .

▶ Standard employment contract format

▶ Standard Employment Contract Form (Foreigners)


💡 Employment Contract Tip!

  • Tip 01. What if I signed a contract with terms that are not legal?
    Any terms that fall short of the law are void, and the standards set forth in the Labor Standards Act apply. However, the employment contract itself is not invalidated.


💰 Holiday pay

Holiday allowance is a paid holiday allowance granted to workers who meet certain criteria.

Employees who work more than 15 hours per week and work the prescribed number of days during the week must be granted at least one paid holiday per week .

(Even if a worker works less than 40 hours a week for 5 days, he or she must be paid proportionally if he or she works more than 15 hours a week.)


✅ Who can receive and how much?

This applies to workers who work more than 15 hours per week on average.

You will receive holiday pay based on your daily wage . For example, if you work 8 hours a day, you will receive an additional 8 hours' wage .


What if I don't pay my holiday pay?

Employers who fail to pay holiday pay may be subject to imprisonment for up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million won in accordance with **Article 110 (Penalties) of the Labor Standards Act**.


💡 Holiday allowance tip!

  • Tip 01. How is holiday pay calculated?
    If you worked 20 hours a week, the calculation would be:
    (20 hours ÷ 40 hours) × 8 hours × hourly wage
  • Tip 02. Do salaried workers also receive holiday pay?
    Yes, this includes salaried workers. However, please note that some salaries include holiday pay, so please check.



💵 Minimum wage

The Republic of Korea has a minimum wage system to guarantee a minimum level of wages for workers, ensure living stability, improve the quality of the workforce, and promote the sound development of the national economy.

This also applies equally to foreigners working in Korea.


✅ What is the minimum wage?

The minimum wage in 2025 is 10,030 won per hour .

  • Daily wage (8 hours): 80,240 won
  • Monthly salary (based on 40-hour workweek): 2,096,270 won


✅What if the minimum wage is not met?

  • Failure to pay the minimum wage may result in imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 20 million won .
  • Even if the minimum wage is not notified to workers, a fine of up to 1 million won will be imposed.


✅ What should I do if I didn't receive it?

  • Report to your nearest local employment and labor office . (☎ 1350 )
  • Even if you negotiate with your employer, you will be subject to punishment if you pay less than the minimum wage .


💡 Minimum wage tip!

  • Tip 01. Check for Minimum Wage Violations
    You can check for violations using the simulation calculator provided on the website of the Minimum Wage Commission of the Ministry of Employment and Labor .
  • Tip 02. What about trainees or apprentices?
    The minimum wage applies equally during the training period. However, if an employment contract is signed for one year or longer, 90% of the minimum wage may be paid during the probationary period (up to three months) .


💸 Report of unpaid wages

Wage arrears are a serious problem that threatens workers' livelihoods. If you haven't received your fair wages on time, you must report it.


✅ What happens to business owners who don't pay?

  • Failure to pay wages may result in imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million won .
  • The list of delinquent business owners may be made public and may be subject to credit sanctions .


✅ What if I didn't get paid?

  • Please report to the nearest local employment and labor office .

    How to report :

    1. Visit and report to the local employment and labor office
    2. Report on the Ministry of Employment and Labor website's civil complaints board
    3. Filing a civil suit directly in court


💡 Wage arrears tip!

  • Tip 01. What is the Simple Payment Support System?
    This is a system that allows workers who win lawsuits for unpaid wages to receive **advance payments (up to 4 million won)** from the government to ensure their livelihood.

    ※Payment Procedure

    Report unpaid wages to the Ministry of Employment and Labor → Apply for and issue a certificate of unpaid wages → Apply for free legal aid from the Legal Aid Corporation or file a direct lawsuit → Submit a request for payment of a simplified payment to the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service with attached court judgments, etc.

    ※ Target

    ① Retirement from a company that has been in operation for more than 6 months as of the date of retirement;
    ② File a lawsuit for unpaid wages within 2 years from the day following retirement.
    ③ Workers who have received a final judgment, etc.

  • Tip 02. What is the system for disclosing the list of delinquent business owners?
    This is a system to raise awareness by disclosing the personal information of habitual non-paying employers on the Ministry of Employment and Labor website .

    ※ Target

    Those who have been convicted twice or more for non-payment of wages, etc. within 3 years prior to the date of disclosure of the list and have a total amount of non-payment of wages, etc. of 30 million won or more (credit sanction of 20 million won) within 1 year


👉 Workers' rights are guaranteed by law!
From drafting your employment contract to reviewing holiday pay, minimum wage, and unpaid wages, be sure to carefully review them and proactively address any issues that arise! ⚖️💼


Source: Ministry of Education and Labor website


Jobploy Team Manager

I am a dedicated recruitment manager at Jobploy.