Announcement and Discussion of Investigation Findings on Discrimination and Labor Rights Violations Against Female Non-Regular Workers in the Distribution Industry
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK; Chairperson Kyong-Whan Ahn) commissioned the Korea Labor and Society Institute to conduct a fact-finding investigation into discrimination and labor rights violations against female non-regular workers in the distribution industry. The institute carried out the fact-finding investigation from July to December 2007, and the NHRCK held a debate at its Learning Center on April 15, 2008 to report the findings and devise adequate policy alternatives.
Many female non-regular workers are working at a variety of business places in the industry. Businesses in the industry have recently expanded and competition has intensified. The result of this for the workers has been low wages, poor working conditions, and direct and indirect discrimination (separation of duties according to gender, etc.). Despite these circumstances, they are not being afforded due legal or institutional protection.
The NHRCK sees discrimination and labor rights abuses against female non-regular workers in the distribution industry as a major human rights issue. On the basis of the investigation findings, the NHRCK intends to explore policy alternatives including approaches to improve legislation and institutional schemes and rectify discrimination by ascertaining the current status and cause of discrimination and labor rights violations against those workers and analyzing the degree and means of necessary protection.
The final report on the fact-finding investigation includes findings on 22 companies including department stores, discount stores, shop-in-shop retailers, convenience stores, and fast food restaurants. In the distribution industry, these are all classified as large-sized retail shops. Among the major companies subject to the investigation were Hyundai Department Store, Lotte Department Store (Nowon), Jinju Core Department Store, E?Land Homever, E?Land New Core, Korea Agricultural Cooperative Marketing (Hanaro Mart), Save Zone I&C, L'Oreal Korea, ELCA Korea, Chanel, Clarins Korea, Dongwon F&B, and Pizza Hut.
