Rights of construction workers
Construction sites see the most fatal accidents. Safety equipment is life itself.
Non-negotiables
- Wear a helmet, safety boots and harness for work at height. The company must provide them. See protective-equipment.
- If you haven't had safety training, demand it. It is the employer's duty. See safety-training.
- You have the right to refuse dangerous work. See refuse-dangerous-work.
- Never do dangerous work alone.
Particularly dangerous work
- Falls — the leading cause of construction deaths. Scaffolding, ladders, roofs, openings. See fall-injury.
- Falling objects — always wear a helmet.
- Crushing by heavy machinery — excavators, forklifts. Never stand behind reversing machinery.
- Collapse — earth retaining, formwork. See building-collapse.
- Electric shock — cables, wet hands. See electric-shock.
- Asphyxiation in confined spaces — manholes, tanks. Never enter alone.
Wage issues
- Much of it is daily work, so records are easily missing. Note the site, hours and who instructed you every day. See daily-worker-rights.
- In subcontracting chains the main contractor can also be liable. See subcontract-issues.
- A construction workers' retirement mutual aid scheme exists. Check whether you are enrolled.
If you are injured
- Call 119 — treatment comes first.
- Tell the doctor you were injured at work.
- Secure site photos and witnesses.
- Claim through 1588-0075 (Workers' Compensation). See industrial-accident-report.
- Even if the company suggests handling it privately, use the accident scheme. See accident-employer-refusal.
Where to go
- 119 emergency · 112 danger
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labour (safety reports, wages)
- 1588-0075 Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service
- 1577-0071 Foreign Workforce Support Centre
- Local migrant workers' support centres
Questions people ask
They don't provide safety equipment. The employer must provide it. Ask, and report to 1350 if they refuse.
They tell me to do something dangerous. Where there is imminent danger you may refuse. If you are penalised for refusing, report it.
I can't follow the safety training in Korean. Ask for materials in your own language. At minimum, learn what the safety signs mean.
I wasn't paid my daily wage. Organise the site, dates and who instructed you and file with 1350. See subcontract-issues.
Take care
"Just today, let's do it without the harness" is what kills people. Falls from two or three metres kill. You have the right to refuse, and refusing is fine. No day's pay is worth more than your life.
Related
fall-injury · protective-equipment · refuse-dangerous-work · subcontract-issues · industrial-accident-report
Source
Ministry of Employment and Labour www.moel.go.kr / As of 2026-08