Requesting a labour inspection

Separately from an individual complaint, you can ask for the whole workplace to be checked.

Complaint versus inspection

• A complaint seeks remedy for your own rights — wages, dismissal. See wage-claim-labor-office.
• An inspection request asks for the workplace's compliance in general to be examined. It works well when several people are affected.

You can do both, and they are sometimes pursued together.

When to request one

• Breaches repeated across many workers — no contracts issued, below minimum wage, unpaid overtime.
• Inadequate safety measures — no protective equipment, hazardous machinery left unfixed. For safety, involve 1544-3088 too.
• Breaches of working-hours and break rules
• Failure to enrol in the four insurances
• Dormitories below standard — see dormitory-standards.

The process

1. Consult 1350 on whether it warrants an inspection request.
2. Request it at your local labour office — online submission is possible.
3. Describe the breaches specifically — when, what, and how many people.
4. Submit evidence — photographs, rotas, payslips, statements.
5. Depending on the findings, corrective orders and fines follow.

Protection for reporters

• Dismissal or disadvantage because you reported is prohibited. See whistleblower-protection.
• You can request anonymity or confidentiality — say so when filing.
• Reporting as a group makes identification harder and adds credibility.

Where to go

• 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labour (advice and reporting)
• Your local labour office
• 1544-3088 KOSHA (safety issues)
• 1577-0071 Foreign Workforce Support Centre
• Local migrant workers' support centres

Questions people ask

Can I report alone? Yes — though a group request is more effective.

Will they know it was me? You can request confidentiality. In a small workplace you may still be guessed at, so discuss that when taking advice.

Can I request one after leaving? Yes. It still matters for the colleagues who remain.

I don't have much evidence. Your own notes and messages count as evidence. Ask during the consultation what is needed.

Take care

Secure your evidence before requesting an inspection. Material held only on a company computer or account can be cut off. Move copies to your personal phone or email.

Related

wage-claim-labor-office · whistleblower-protection · employer-obligations · unpaid-wages-report · labor-standards-basics

Source

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