October 18, 2011, Women’s Action for Decent Lives and Jobs (WADLJ) hosted a press conference at the Hall of Discussion belonging to the National Assembly, in order to promote legal reforms regarding “infant-care paternity leave”. In Korea, the only way to encourage males to participate in childcare is to take paternity leave. However, last year, only 819 males used paternity leave since companies are not happy with it and paternity leave is poorly-paid.

Infant-care paternity leave aims at setting up another leave for males, aside from the present legal paid parental leave. Until babies are 1 year old, males can be allowed to take more than one month leave. The WADLJ suggested that the Employment Insurance should give up to 2 million Won for the leave. The legal reform shows too differences from the present one: the amount is much higher than the present maximum 1 million Won, and the system can be over-wrapped with women's maternity leave and parental leave.

Jung Moon Ja, the chairperson of KWWA urged the National Assembly to pass the legal reformation when the regular National Assembly opens, saying "Presently, the ruling and opposition parties all agree the necessities for infant-care paternity leave system. The act is pending in the Legal Examination Subcommittee.

Kim Mi-kyung who came back to work after taking parental leave twice, said “While I took paternity leave twice, my husband didn't dare to take any childcare related leave at all.” “Koreans usually think caring child is women's work. In addition, my husband work very late. Hence, I have to take care of my children by myself. This is very stressful. This stress also affects my children badly,” emphasizing the need for the infant-care paternity leave system.

Suh Byung-chan who is presently taking paternity leave, said "Although I have took paternity leave more than one month, but my baby still call me "mommy" not daddy," complaining about the existing gap between his baby and him.

The WADLJ claimed "the participation of males in childcaring is regarded as the key of changing the present 'glass ceiling effect' culture relatively disadvantaging women and Korea's long work-hour cultures." During the press conference the WADLJ urged the National Assembly to pass the 'infant-care paternity leave system' promptly, in order to protect the paternity right for men and balance the existing women's partial childcare responsibility.

October 15, 2011 at 2pm, when heavy rain suddenly came, the 2nd Care Women Workers' Rally was jointly hosted in the middle of Jonggak, by National Cooperative of House Managers (NCHM) and the KWWA. About 350 care women workers nationwide who departed to Seoul at dawn, shouted in one voice "Care workers are also workers! We should be applied to Labor Standard Law! Ratify ILO home care workers agreement!"

Despite the heavy autumn rain, the National Care Women Workers' Rally started with the address made by Jung Moon Ja, the chairperson of KWWA and Yoon He-ryeon, the chairperson of NCHM, followed by the solidarity addresses written by Kwon Mi-hyeok standing chairperson of KWAU (and read by another person) and Lee Beong-hak, chairperson of Korean Association of Self Sufficiency Promotion, and stirring remarks by Lee Mi-kyeong, National Assembly member, which heated and encouraged the participants a lot.

‘During the farm hardship period, almost all were so poor that Keumsoon's family sent her to Seoul~ From that moment, Keumsoon's living and working at other people's families seemed to start~' a movie talker started his eloquent words: 'Dreams of Keumsoon' showed the changes in home care workers' lives by period, from domestic helpers in the past to house managers in the present. (by the GWWA)

“Although a doctor suggested that I should receive medical care without working for a while, I cannot help continuing my work because I am afraid if I may lose my job and the medical cost is too high.” (A house manager from Incheon)

“Even though my wage is just around the Minimum Wage, it helps my family and it is worthwhile to take care of the children of single parent and low income families. I was happy. But I heard the contract would be terminated and people don't know what would happen after that. Without the care service system for single and low income families, the parents can't be relieved because they can't find the place to take care of their children in. Of course, we will also be unemployed.” (A childcare manager from Daegu)

“We work in the same care industry. But while the people, working for the voucher system managed by the Ministry of Welfare, and social enterprises by the Ministry of Labor, are covered by Korean 4 social securities, the people like us working in the ordinary labor market, are not protected. I hope the legal reform to help care workers be recognized as care workers and receive at least social securities should be passed in the National Assembly.” (a care assistant from Pucheon)

In order to solve such difficulties of care workers in the workplace and make equality between workers, it is necessary that care workers should be covered by the Labor Standard Act, Industrial Hazard Insurance and Employment Insurance. Accordingly, the National Assembly should immediately pass the legal reform of Care Workers Protection Act which was proposed in September, 2010. In addition, the Korean government voting for the ILO's 'Convention Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers should ratify the convention as soon as possible, in accordance with the Korea's status.

September 21, 2011, we held a forum "the 49th CEDAW for investigating the Korean government" at Learning Hall of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea.

Our umbrella organization, the Korean Women’s Associations United (KWAU) made and submitted to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), a NGO report 3 times, in 1997, 2007 and 2011, and carried on campaigns to demand the Korean government to monitor and fulfill the final recommendations. Especially, our organization, the Korean Women Workers' Association (KWWA) monitored and made policy suggestions in relation to women workers.

July 19, 2011, 4 groups, in solidarity with KWAU, Korean Center for United Nations Human Rights Policy (KOCUN), Lawyers for Democratic Society, and KWWA, formed a NGO delegates to investigate the Korean government in the CEDAW, and lobbied the committee.

During the forum, the NGO representatives including Jeong Moon Ja, chairperson of our organization presented NGOs' final opinions about NGO's investigation of the Korean government in the CEDAW.

After the topic presentation, debaters and panels consisting of experts from the politics, legal communities and civil societies had a time to discuss and share their opinions and how to fulfil the recommendations.

The forum, “The Balance Between Work & Life, the Justifiable Right of People,” was held by KWWA, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the revision of the Maternity Protection Act, on the 29th of June at Seoul Women's Plaza. There has been a need for a solution to the fact that it was bound to females and has generated other problems like the increase of caring responsibility.

At the very beginning, the first speaker Kim Yeongok pointed out that a policy for a balance between work and life bound only to women has caused gender discrimination of labor and has strengthened the division of labor by gender. According to her, the solution is to map out a sustainable, long term plan, not bread and circuses policies. Her other claim was that in order to dissolve the divided labor structure by gender, we should consider the problem of child-care. She also suggested that commercialization of labor and an escape of caring responsibility from the family are required for women, and the exact opposite for men. She underlined the importance of a community-based economic activity and the imaginative power for it. Lastly, she added that we need a new working environment, a new a new standard for the quality of life, and a new way of living to fix the chronic problem of dehumanization at work.

Park Sunyeong, the second speaker, alleged that the problem of a non-regular female worker not receiving maternity leave pay still paying unemployment benefits when her contract is expired, must be sorted out. According to Park, an expiration of a non-regular woman worker's contract means the end of her employment even though she had been paying for her insurance, and only two-fifths of women workers are actually being insured. The right to be paid should take priority over whether the person is employed or not.

In the third address, Han Jiyoung weighed in on the need to extend paternity leave and paternity pay. She reviewed the 1 month quota system of Assemblyman Kim Sungsik and the 2 month system of Assemblyman Hong Youngpyo and suggested a 3 month quota system.

Finally, Baek Seonhee maintained that we block the passage of the autonomous day-care center system, which would make nursery registration fees skyrocket. She suggested working parents be provided with child-care support over day-care service and financial support.

It was already 4pm when the addresses from the 4 experts ended. A forum was held after that by 6 debaters including members of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Ministry of Employment and Labor. They had a spirited debate for 90 minutes.

We at KWWA, the holder of the forum, will promote follow-up actions for the required amendment of the law. Every single worker is responsible for caring, thus we will keep working for the day when the balance between work and life is appreciated by work places and the society to come.

“The Domestic Workers Protection Agreement,” which was considered as the last important issue of the international labor community, was passed by a majority at the 100th International Labor Organization general meeting on the 16th of June, with 396 votes in favor, 63 in abstention, and only 16 against.

We at the Solidarity for Care Workers' Legal Protection are very glad to hear that the domestic workers protection agreement was taken up by the international community and especially that the South Korean government is for the agreement, taking seriously the 300,000 domestic workers' demand. Now is the time for the South Korean government to ratify.

The 300,000 domestic workers have yearned for equal treatment as  respectable workers as well as basic benefits such as occupational health and safety insurance. They have been shunned from every kind of legal protection and social acknowledgement due to the prejudice that their labor is merely domestic and relevant only to women. Accordingly, domestic workers and civil labor organizations have been taking action for the amendment of the domestic law and ILO agreement since 2010.

What matters is that the Ministry of Labor has not been disclosing any information about the ratification except “the agreement in principle.” This might be a sign that the government is merely posturing that they are for the group of international nations, though it is quite encouraging that they went along with the agreement right before departing to Geneva.

Joining OECD and hosting G20 does not is not what promotes a nation's grade. Valuing the rights of the people and helping the disadvantaged class to work makes an advanced country.

Thus, we at the Care Workers' Solidarity demand for the government to clarify their plan and schedule on the ratification, in response to the keen interest of the global community on the agreement .

We suggest that the labor world, the groups who are concerned, and civic groups have a chance to discuss the issue together.

ILO agreements, generally, become effective one year after the ratification instruments of each nation arrives at ILO, which means that there still remains one year for the agreement to be actually effective after it is ratified. Also, to have the agreement ratified, it is necessary to revise the domestic law reflecting the present conditions of industry.

However, the government is not even capable of figuring out the reality of domestic workers and not ready to revise any legislation related to the Labor Standard Act, hiding behind the shield of “the exemption of the Labor Standard Act clause.” In the meantime, South Korea is one of the countries that has the poorest protection for domestic workers as they have been fundamentally alienated from legal protection. That is why we urgently need to minimize the initation period.

Thus, we at the Care Workers' Solidarity expect the government to work on the ratification in collaboration with the group of concerned domestic workers who have actually been involved in the act, the two umbrella labor organizations, and civic groups--not only on their own.

In the conclusion, We do appreciate that ILO signed the agreement for domestic workers, and the government has approved of it. We urge the South Korean government to prepare promptly and positively for ratification.

17th of June, 2011

Laborers, whose wage is always the lowest bidding price,

Young workers, barely making ends meet by working part time,

Service workers in convenience stores, gas stations and so on, whose hourly wage is determined by the minimum wage,

The workers under a subcontract, whose wage is under the minimum wage.

The 450 million low-paid workers who are suffering from the preposterous minimum wage all over the country.

One would hardly be able to have a proper meal with the current hourly minimum wage, which is only one third of the average wage. As a result, South Korea is dishonored to be the first nation among the OECD in terms of the rate of low-paid workers and inequality in wages. It has turned out that 196 million workers are paid even less than the minimum wage last August; furthermore, 61.5% of them are female and only 5.7% are regular workers. Therefore, we can argue that the minimum wage issue directly related to the matter of temporary workers and women workers.

There was an incremental increase in the minimum wage last year since its adoption, being raised just 2.8%, while the average wage was raised 4.0% and the cost of living 2.9%. For the first time in six years, the labor share dropped under 60% as well. It seems that President Lee’s low minimum wage increase is apparently having an effect on the issue.

Twenty four years have passed since the minimum wage was legally institutionalized. Although its positive effect on the quality of life is still doubtful, The increase of the minimum wage eventually can reform the unfair structure of the labor market by improving the conditions of low-paid workers and eliminating the gap.

A Proclamation by “Minimum Wage 5410 Won”

I, the minimum wage, came into the world in order to carry out the mission for a more humane life for low-paid workers.

I, the minimum wage, am never a surreal entity. The systems before me were not capable of completing their missions. Consequently, the workers' life on this earth has never been satisfying. Through 24 years of the dissatisfaction, I exist in reality as the fruit of the struggle of 450 million low-paid workers

 I, the minimum wage, will sincerely accomplish my domestic mission by devoting myself to the guarantee of every single person's basic quality of life, and generally, to a higher quality of life. I hope that on account of me, the numerous non-regular employees and women workers will be able to have what they deserve.

 1st of June, 2010.

- The first action of the working environment improvement campaign: Demand your maternity leave when you need it.

- The campaign kicks off on the 4th of May.

I got forced to resign the moment I told my boss that I would like to have a maternity leave. (Office Worker, Masan-Changwon)

The company insisted that they will not offer a new contract to employees who are possibly going to leave on maternity. (English Tutor, Seoul)

            This is the picture of today. The female employment activity rate in South Korea is the lowest among OECD, and its graph is curved like a capital 'M', which cannot be seen in any other country but South Korea and Japan. The M-curve indicates  that female workers tend to quit when they have a baby to take care of and do not begin to work again until the child hass sufficiently grown. The rate of female regular workers from ages 30 to 34 amounted to 57.9% last August, while more than two thirds of the entire female workforce are in temporary positions. The 30 to 34 age group comprises of the biggest portion of women regular workers among all other age groups, though it is nowhere near 69.1%, the rate of male regular worker at the same age. However, when women reach their forties,  the rate falls sharply to 33.8%. This is thought to be because they try once more  to look for employment,, but this time as a non-regular worker.

             The Korean law ensures maternity leave and child-care leave. However, the sad part is that beyond their words, they put forth no practical effect. The great number of temporary employees does not make it better. To employers, childbirth is nothing but  a burden despite families and society considering it a blessing. They consider pregnant employees as surplus, employees they cannot grossly overwork, while it is their secret goal to make a profit. Therefore, it becomes fairly difficult for Korean women to strike a balance between work and child-care at the very beginning of maternity leave, the sacred claim.

             It reveals that those companies are not aware of the importance of individual workers and their social duty. On the other hand, the individual workers would devote themselves to the company that would give them a chance and will work out any obstacle for a better relationship between them. In the long run, it sounds a lot more reasonable that other members of the team divide up the work temporarily and give theirblessing to their colleague's new addition.. Also, one can never be sure that such an occasion will never occur. The slightest change in working environment can alter the future of our society.

             Maternity leave is a just and inviolable right for women and new born babies.

About the working environment improvement campaign

1) The campaign is composed of ten associations: Korean Women Workers Association, Korean Women Association United, Federation of Korean Trade Unions, Korean Women's Solidarity, Woman Labor Law Support Center, Korean Women Trade Union, Women Resources Development Center, Korea YMCA, Seoul YWCA, and  Korea YWCA.

2) The first movement, "Demand Your Maternity Leave When You Need It," is planned to begin on May 4th along with an inauguration. In 2012, the movements for the reduction of working hours and men's right to child-care are scheduled to be enacted.

3) Reality played the greatest role in launching the working environment improvement campaign; double income households have been becoming more unrealistic when they are needed more than ever. Working mothers hope to fill in the gaps. Not long after, however, they come across barriers such as compulsory retirement, low employment rate, wage gap, and the slim chance of being promoted. Moreover, their husbands are obligated to support their families, which then leaves them without time to spend with their loving families.

4) It is time for a change. We never anticipated such bitter reality. Working Environment Improvement Campaign fights for a balance between work and family. We expect a working environment that respects both maternal and paternal rights without any sort of sexual discrimination, for a higher quality of life.

On the 9^th of March, a forum “Working Women: Discussion of a Welfare State” was held in a seminar room at FKTU (Federation of Korean Trade Unions). The discussion was hosted by Saeng Saeng Women’s Labor Act, to shed light on a welfare state from the perspective of working women and to seek for the direction of the Korean welfare state.

             The first address was from Jang Jiyeon, a researcher from Korea Labor Institute (KLI). She spoke of women workers leading the way: “To make a long story short, we should aim for a welfare state with universalism, and female workers’ influence is vital to form a welfare alliance.”

             The next address was delivered by Im Yunoak, the deputy officer of KWWA: “How can a welfare state benefit non-regular female workers?” She interviewed temporary female workers in person about their own thoughts on a welfare state.

             Also, Kin Aewha, a researcher from the Democratic Labor Party, Jua Sekyung, a policy researcher from the New Jinbo, Park Wonseok, the director of the cooperation office of People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, and Kim Soonhee, Federation of Korean Trade Unions’ director of female head office also took part in a panel discussion about a welfare state for working women.

The 27^th Korean Women’s Rally was held at the Press Center in Gung-gu on the 7^th, March in the presence of 247 representatives from women’s organizations, civic groups, and social corporations from all over the country celebrating International Women’s Day.

             The ceremony had the theme, “Her Bread and Roses.” During the event, the “Stepping Stone” and the “Stumbling Block” awards of gender equality were announced and awarded, as well as the annual “Women’s Rights Movement Leadership Award.” Actors Kwon Haehyo and Kim Yeojin presided over the ceremony.

             The Kiryung branch from Metalunion was named the Stepping Stones of gender equality. The branch successfully brought about the conversion of non-regular employment to regular employment in six years though hunger strikes and stay-ins. Ban Ol Lim, who brought labor issues of the semiconductor industry into the light and has been fighting for the right to healthy labor, has been deemed the protector of semiconductor laborers. The Stepping Stone also went to the producers of the TV show “W,” which attempted to illuminate the realities of women’s rights in the world but was forced to come to an abrupt end.

             Kang Yongseok, the congressman who had caused a stir by belittling a female worker, was dishonored with the Stumbling Block, along with the GNP’s promotion video for the election that depicted female voters as ignorant, and their sponsoring prosecutors.

             Meanwhile, The Women’s Right Movement of The Year Award was given to a women’s organization called Neomeoseo, the ex-Seoul YMCA Members’ Solidarity for the Abolition of Sexual Discrimination. They won the case against YMCA who used to refuse to grant its female members executive membership.

             The organizing committee of the Korean Women’s Rally is expected to report “Herstory Telling,” which tells women’s stories regarding the right to live and other civil rights on its blog (http://38women.co.kr) during the entire month of March.