The Women's Labor Coalition held a press conference urging the introduction of a gender equality wage disclosure system, highlighting it as a priority ahead of International Women's Day on March 8.
On March 5, the Women's Labor Coalition held a press conference calling for the introduction of a gender equality wage disclosure system, emphasizing that transparency in wages is essential for achieving equality. This initiative is a promise made by President Lee Jae-myung, and the coalition is pushing for expedited legislation in light of the upcoming International Women’s Day on March 8. Civil society organizations have been advocating for effective policies and laws to tackle the wage disparity that has persisted for over 20 years in South Korea.
South Korea has maintained the dubious distinction of being the worst nation for gender wage disparity in the OECD for 33 years, with a gender pay gap of 29% as of 2024, significantly higher than the OECD average of 11.3% for 2023. This gap cannot merely be attributed to individual choices or abilities but stems from deep-rooted discrimination throughout various stages of women's professional lives, including hiring, placement, promotion, and interruptions in their careers due to pregnancy and childcare. Key statistics show a stark contrast in employment rates and roles, with women's employment rate at 62.1% compared to men's 76.8%, and a disproportionate share of non-regular employment among women.
The South Korean society has long concealed its unjust wage system under the guise of 'corporate confidentiality.' Since the early 2000s, civil society organizations have been demanding the establishment of a gender equality wage disclosure system as a crucial first step to rectify wage discrimination. Numerous European countries, including Austria, Germany, and the UK, have successfully implemented laws to enhance wage transparency over the last two decades. The European Commission aims to require all companies with more than 100 employees to regularly disclose wage information. The current government is committed to introducing this wage disclosure system, targeting private enterprises and public institutions with over 500 employees, but many female workers are still employed in smaller companies with fewer than 100 employees, raising concerns over comprehensive implementation and equality.
