Foreign Lyrics & Minimum Wage
- Families with minor children in Seoul may soon be able to employ foreign household helpers at wages determined by private contract, perhaps starting in June.
- the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Justice announced today a pilot project allowing families to hire foreign nationals legally residing in Seoul as household activists through...
- The new pilot aims to address this by allowing families to contract directly with foreign residents, including international students, graduates, married immigrants, and spouses of professionals.
Seoul to Pilot Foreign Household Helper Program, Bypassing Minimum Wage
Table of Contents
- Seoul to Pilot Foreign Household Helper Program, Bypassing Minimum Wage
- Seoul to Pilot Foreign Household Helper programme: Your Top Questions Answered
- What is the new foreign household helper pilot program in Seoul?
- How does this pilot program differ from previous initiatives?
- Who is eligible to participate as a household helper?
- How will the new program work?
- What are the benefits of this program for families?
- How many households are expected to participate in the pilot project?
- Where can I find recruitment and request facts?
- Key Differences: New Pilot vs. Previous Program
Families with minor children in Seoul may soon be able to employ foreign household helpers at wages determined by private contract, perhaps starting in June.
the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Justice announced today a pilot project allowing families to hire foreign nationals legally residing in Seoul as household activists
through private contracts. This initiative follows concerns that a previous pilot program, the Filipino Lyrics Manager project, primarily benefited high-income households due to minimum wage requirements.
The new pilot aims to address this by allowing families to contract directly with foreign residents, including international students, graduates, married immigrants, and spouses of professionals. Recruitment for the program will begin on March 24, with training scheduled for April and May. Families with children between the ages of 6 and 18 can apply to participate, with service fees determined by private agreement.
foreign Direct Employment Pilot Project
Eligible foreign residents include those holding D-2 (international student), D-10-1 (graduate seeking employment), F-1-5 (married immigrant), and F-3 (spouse of professional) visas. This allows foreign students to work part-time while pursuing their studies or job opportunities. In 2023, there were 82,765 residents holding these visa types. The pilot project aims to match 300 households.
Selected participants will receive 10 hours of in-person training, 3 hours of online housework training, and 30 hours of parenting training in April. Upon completion,they can connect with families through a private platform starting in June,operating on a part-time or full-time basis (up to 8 hours per day).
A key feature of this pilot is that these household helpers are hired as lyrics activists,
and are not subject to the minimum wage or the Labor Standards Act. Compensation and contract terms are left to market forces and private negotiation. The term household user
refers to a tenant or general home caretaker.
This approach differentiates the project from the previous filipino Lyrics Manager program, which hired Filipino workers as domestic service providers, entitling them to minimum wage, severance pay, and weekly allowances. The resulting monthly fee of ₩292,200 per week was criticized as being too expensive for many families.
Under the new pilot, families will contract directly with foreign residents through private platforms. if the pilot expands,it is anticipated that a new recruitment market will emerge on private job boards.
Seoul to Pilot Foreign Household Helper programme: Your Top Questions Answered
What is the new foreign household helper pilot program in Seoul?
The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of justice are launching a pilot project allowing families in Seoul to hire foreign residents as “household activists” through private contracts. This program aims to provide childcare and homemaking support,particularly for families with minor children. The program aims to begin in June.
How does this pilot program differ from previous initiatives?
The new pilot program differs significantly from the previous “Filipino Lyrics Manager” program. the key differences include:
Wage Structure: The new pilot allows families to negotiate wages directly with helpers, bypassing minimum wage requirements unlike the previous program.
Worker Classification: Helpers are referred to as “lyrics activists” and are not subject to the Labor Standards Act.
Who is eligible to participate as a household helper?
Foreign residents legally residing in seoul with specific visa types are eligible to participate in the program. These include:
D-2 (International Student)
D-10-1 (Graduate seeking employment)
F-1-5 (Married immigrant)
F-3 (Spouse of professional)
This includes foreign students who can work part-time and people with specific visa types.
In 2023, there were 82,765 residents holding these visa types.
How will the new program work?
- Recruitment: Recruitment for the program begins on March 24.
- Training: Selected participants will undergo training in April, including:
10 hours of in-person training
3 hours of online housework training
* 30 hours of parenting training
- Matching: Participants can connect with families through a private platform starting in June.
- Employment: Helpers can work on a part-time or full-time basis, up to 8 hours per day.
- Compensation: Compensation and contract terms are steadfast through private agreements between families and helpers.
What are the benefits of this program for families?
The program aims to alleviate the burden on families with minor children by providing access to affordable household help. By allowing direct contracts and bypassing minimum wage, the program seeks to make household assistance more accessible.
How many households are expected to participate in the pilot project?
The pilot project aims to match 300 households.
Where can I find recruitment and request facts?
Recruitment for the program will begin on March 24. Information about how to apply can be found on the Seoul Metropolitan Government website or through announcements.
Key Differences: New Pilot vs. Previous Program
| Feature | New Pilot Program | Previous “Filipino Lyrics Manager” Program |
| ——————- | —————————————————— | ——————————————————- |
| Wage System | Private contract, no minimum wage | Subject to minimum wage |
| Worker Status | “Lyrics activists,” not subject to Labor Standards Act | Domestic service providers, entitled to benefits |
| Cost to Families | Expected to be more affordable | Monthly fee of ₩292,200 per week (potentially higher) |