KWDI Korean Women’s Development Institute

This study aims to offer the policy-related programs that make better the jobs in the social service sectors-mainly, carework- in Korea. The expansion of the social service in a country is closely related to the increase in the labor force participation rates among women. In those countries where women's economic activity rates are over 60%, the private and public system to provide social service are well established. However, most jobs in the social service sector in Korea are “bad jobs” that are characterized as low wages, long and irregular work hours and the exclusion from the social insurances. This study consists of three major parts: first, this study conducts the survey on the work conditions and the needs for job stability among women careworkers including those tending the sick, those caring for babies at home, and housemaids. Secondly, this study reviews the current 「The Labor Standard Act」 and investigates the way in which informal care workers can be institutionalized into the formal labor market and get benefited from the social insurance system. And finally, this study suggests the programs that offer official on-the-job trainings and the policy that institutionalizes the formal certificate for careworks. By institutionalizing the careworkers and establishing formal training programs and certificate system, it is expected to provide more women workers with better jobs and to improve the quality of the social service in Korea.

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