Job postings without visa requirements… “Illegal residents can be hired” criticism
The Chinese delivery platform 'HungryPanda' has made a full-scale entry into the South Korean delivery market and has begun recruiting delivery workers, but it is already embroiled in controversy.
According to a report by Aju Economy on the 19th, HungryPanda's job posting specifies that “anyone aged 19 or older can apply regardless of gender,” but there is no mention of visa requirements at all.
The recruitment areas cover a wide range, including the urban areas of Mapo-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Gwangjin-gu, Jongno-gu in Seoul, as well as densely populated areas of Chinese nationals in Gyeonggi Province.
Criticism has arisen regarding this, questioning whether it effectively opens the door for illegal residents to work without restrictions. There are also concerns that a foreign platform has created a structure that easily attracts illegal labor while circumventing domestic hiring regulations.
Industry insiders state that “this is not simply an issue of recruitment methods; it is an act that directly disregards the South Korean labor market and rule of law,” and assert that “there should be a thorough investigation by the government.”
Threat to fair competition… “Concerns over reverse discrimination against domestic platforms”
HungryPanda is aggressively recruiting delivery workers by offering high subsidies. Although the specific subsidy payment methods have not been disclosed, there are bold claims that higher earnings will be guaranteed compared to other platforms. This has led to suspicions that this may be a cost-cutting structure utilizing illegal labor.
Domestic platforms are hiring labor through legal procedures and are responsible for taxes and insurance. Conversely, if HungryPanda indiscriminately hires illegal residents, it may gain a structural advantage in labor cost competition, which could seriously undermine fair competition.
Indeed, HungryPanda has caused controversy in China with ultra-low-price marketing and informal hiring structures, and has dominated markets in Southeast Asia and Europe in similar ways.
Government is closely monitoring… Ministry of Justice “Strict response to illegal employment”
The government is also keeping an eye on the situation. A representative from the Ministry of Justice stated that “if foreign companies hire or encourage illegal residents in the domestic market, we will respond strictly,” adding, “illegal labor is subject to monitoring, and the company involved may also be punished.”
Industry insiders are concerned that HungryPanda’s indiscriminate market entry could adversely affect the livelihoods of domestic riders.
Some posts in online communities express riders' concerns, stating, “Jobs for domestic riders who work legally are threatened, and there is a possibility that overall wage levels may decline.”
HungryPanda is currently operating in 47 cities, including Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Eric Liu, CEO of HungryPanda, claimed, “The company has grown 30 times over the past three years, and is making profits in New York and London,” but criticism that such growth is based on an illegal employment structure does not seem to subside.
Image source: Photo=HungryPanda
