Rights of part-time workers
Even a casual job makes you a worker, covered by the Labour Standards Act.
Rights you have even on short hours
- Minimum wage — the hourly minimum applies in full. See minimum-wage.
- Employment contract — you must receive a written statement of hours, pay and duties.
- Weekly holiday allowance — part-timers qualify if the requirements are met. See weekly-holiday-pay.
- Annual leave — granted in proportion to hours worked.
- Overtime, night and holiday allowances — apply depending on the conditions.
- The four insurances — enrolment depends on hours and other requirements.
- Severance pay — part-timers can qualify if the continuous service requirement is met.
- Industrial accident insurance — if you are hurt at work you are protected regardless of hours. See industrial-accident-basics.
Requirements vary with hours and length of service. Check your own case with 1350.
No discrimination
Compared with a full-time worker doing the same job, you must not be treated unreasonably worse simply for being part-time.
What to check
- Whether you received an employment contract.
- Whether the hourly rate is at or above minimum wage.
- Whether your hours are being recorded — note your start and finish times yourself.
- Whether you receive a payslip.
Where to go
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labour (with interpretation)
- Your local labour office
- 1577-0071 Foreign Workforce Support Centre
- 1345 (whether your status permits the work)
Questions people ask
I'm a student — can I take a part-time job? You need a part-time work permit. Working without it creates residence status problems. Check with 1345 first.
They won't pay the weekly holiday allowance. If you meet the requirements you are entitled to it. Gather your work records and consult 1350.
I was hurt at work but they say casual staff aren't covered. Industrial accident insurance applies regardless of hours. Contact 1588-0075 (Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service).
They won't give me a contract. Issuing a written contract is the employer's duty. Ask for it, and report it if refused.
Take care
Record your start and finish times yourself, every day. Photos, notes, transport card records — anything works. Part-time work often loses wage disputes purely for lack of records.
Related
minimum-wage · weekly-holiday-pay · employment-contract · part-time-work-permit-students · industrial-accident-basics
Source
Ministry of Employment and Labour www.moel.go.kr / As of 2026-08