Standards company dormitories must meet

Company dormitories must meet standards too. It has to be somewhere a person can actually live.

Basic requirements

1. Proper housing — greenhouses, temporary structures and warehouses do not meet the standard.
2. Heating and cooling — you must be able to withstand summer heat and winter cold.
3. Toilet and bathing facilities
4. A lock — you must be able to lock your room.
5. Separation of men and women
6. Fire safety equipment and escape routes
7. Reasonable occupancy — too many people in one room is not allowed.
8. Personal space and privacy

Steps

1. Photograph the current condition — interior, toilet, fire equipment, windows, heaters.
2. Ask the company to improve it, in a message.
3. If nothing changes, report it to 1350 or your regional labour office.
4. On the Employment Permit System (E-9 and similar), tell the employment centre too. Dormitory standards are tied to the employment permit.
5. If it is dangerous, report immediately. Fire or collapse risk — 119.

What you need

• Photos or video of the accommodation
• The board and lodging clauses in your contract
• Records of accommodation deductions (payslips)
• Colleagues' statements

Where to go

• 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor
• Your employment centre (Employment Permit System)
• 119 fire or collapse risk
• Your local support centre for foreign workers
• 1345 · 1577-1366 interpretation

Questions people ask

It's freezing in winter. Accommodation without heating falls below standard. Record photos and temperatures and report to 1350.

They deduct a lot for board and lodging. Deductions have standards and a consent procedure. Take your payslip to 1350.

Men and women share the same space. They must be separated. This is reportable.

I'm afraid of being thrown out for reporting. Disadvantage for reporting is illegal. Going through a support centre is safer.

There is no fire equipment. In a fire this is a matter of life. Tell 1350 and the fire service immediately.

Take care

Be especially careful with winter heaters and fire risk. Several electric blankets and heaters in a small space is a serious fire hazard. Check right now that your escape route is not blocked.

Related

dormitory-fees · wage-payment-rules · fire-emergency · housing-types

Source

Ministry of Employment and Labor www.moel.go.kr / As of 2026-08