Minimum Wage of 10,030 Won, 57.4% of Workers Say "It's Difficult to Guarantee a Decent Life"

Over half of workers perceive that the minimum wage set for 2025 will not allow them to live a decent life.

According to a survey conducted by the civic group Workers' Rights 119 on the 22nd, 6 out of 10 workers responded that the minimum wage of 10,030 won per hour (2.09 million won per month) is insufficient to maintain a basic standard of living.

The survey results released by Workers' Rights 119 on the 22nd showed that among 1,000 respondents aged 19 and older nationwide, 57.4% answered that next year’s legal minimum wage would not guarantee a decent life.

Notably, this perception was particularly high in sectors where the business community argues that differentiated minimum wage applications are necessary.

Among workers in the accommodation and restaurant industries, 59.6%, and 56.4% in the wholesale and retail industries, reported that the current minimum wage does not allow for a decent life.

Appropriate Minimum Wage Should Exceed 2.51 Million Won per Month

Regarding the appropriate level for next year's minimum wage, 57.0% of respondents stated that it should exceed 2.51 million won per month (12,000 won per hour).

Specifically, 30.6% of respondents selected a monthly wage of 2.3 million won (11,000 won per hour or less), 27.5% chose 2.51 million won (12,000 won per hour or less), 15.2% indicated over 2.92 million won (14,000 won per hour or more), and 14.3% opted for 2.72 million won (13,000 won per hour or less).

Workers' Rights 119 emphasized that "the current legal minimum wage does not adequately serve as a safety net for survival, particularly for small businesses and older workers, who are often left in a protection gap for worker rights." They stressed that discussions on the legal minimum wage should revolve around the wage levels necessary for workers to live a decent life.

Currently, there is a significant gap between labor and management regarding next year's minimum wage at the Minimum Wage Committee.

The labor sector has proposed an increase of 14.7% to an hourly wage of 11,500 won, whereas the business sector insists that the current level of 10,030 won should be maintained.

Both sides are set to begin serious negotiations regarding the minimum wage level on the 26th.

According to the Minimum Wage Law, the Minimum Wage Committee must finalize and submit the minimum wage proposal within 90 days of the request for review from the Minister of Employment and Labor, with the legal deadline for the minimum wage review set for the 28th. Meanwhile, next year’s minimum wage will continue to be applied uniformly across sectors without differentiation.

During its 6th plenary session on the 19th, the Minimum Wage Committee voted on whether to apply different minimum wages for next year, resulting in 11 votes in favor, 15 against, and 1 invalid vote, thus failing the proposal. A total of 27 individuals participated in this vote, with 9 representatives from workers, employers, and the public interest.

Image sources: Non-related material photos / gettyimagesbank, Material photos for understanding the article / KBS2's "If You Cheat, You Die", members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) hold a joint strike rally on the 18th in front of the Government Seoul Complex in Gwanghwamun, Jongno-gu, Seoul / News1