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Foreign Maids in Korea Underpaid, Overworked in Gov't Pilot Project

A survey has exposed severe underpayment and overwork among foreign housekeepers in Seoul's government pilot project. The workers, mostly from the Philippines, earned an average monthly wage of 1.92 million won, less than half the national average for South Koreans. Their net income plummeted to just 1.18 million won after deductions for housing and insurance. Additionally, many were required to perform extra tasks like pet care and English tutoring, which were not part of their original job agreements.

Key Points: Korea's Foreign Maid Project: Underpaid, Overworked Workers

  • Wages less than half Korean average
  • Extra work outside job description
  • Pilot project ended Dec 2024
  • Survey covered 21 Filipino workers
  • Net pay after deductions was $800
2 min read

Foreign maids under South Korean govt's pilot project overworked, underpaid: Survey

Survey reveals foreign housekeepers in Seoul's pilot program received less than half the average Korean wage and performed extra unpaid duties.

"We must... reevaluate the value of child care, recognise the economic value of housekeeping labour - Professor Lee Mi-ae"

Seoul, Jan 17

Foreign housekeepers employed locally under a government pilot project launched two years ago were severely underpaid and had to do extra work that was not agreed upon, a survey showed on Saturday.

In September 2024, the Seoul metropolitan government launched its foreign maid pilot program and allowed the entry of 100 people, mostly from Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, to work as housekeepers at more than 150 households in the city.

The project, which ended in December last year, was aimed at tackling the shortage of locals willing to work as maids and to support women in continuing their careers, reports Yonhap news agency.

According to the survey, respondents said they received an average of 1.92 million won (US$1,303) in monthly wages during the first six months of the project.

The amount is less than half the average monthly payment received by South Koreans in 2024, which was 3.74 million won.

When deducting costs, such as residential expenses and insurance payments, their net monthly wages were only 1.18 million won, the survey showed.

Some respondents said they were requested to work outside of their job descriptions, such as washing dishes, caring for pets and tutoring kids in English.

"We must ... reevaluate the value of child care, recognise the economic value of housekeeping labour, and foster a virtuous cycle of providing high-quality housekeeping services and jobs," said Professor Lee Mi-ae of Jeju National University, who conducted the survey.

The survey was conducted on 21 housekeepers from the Philippines aged in their 20s and 30s and two of their translators from April to May last year, and published in a journal by the Korea Association for Immigration Policy and Administration.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Professor Lee is absolutely right. Housekeeping and childcare have immense economic value that is never properly recognised or compensated. If you want quality service, you have to pay a fair wage. Asking them to tutor kids in English on top of cleaning? That's a separate, skilled job!
A
Aman W
While the exploitation is wrong, I hope India is watching. We also have a huge demand for domestic help in our cities. We need to ensure our own policies treat domestic workers with dignity and proper pay before criticising others. Charity begins at home.
S
Sarah B
The survey size seems very small—only 21 people? While the findings are concerning, a larger study would give a clearer picture. Still, paying someone $1300 a month in a country like South Korea seems very low for the cost of living there.
V
Vikram M
This is modern-day indentured labour. Deducting residential expenses from their pay so they end up with only 1.18 million won net is shocking. They went there to earn and save, not just to survive. Governments need to have much stronger safeguards in such programs.
K
Kavya N
Heart goes out to these women. Many must be mothers themselves, working far from their own children to care for other people's homes and kids. The least they deserve is fair compensation and respect for their agreed job role. Hope the authorities take corrective action.

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