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This contains essential information that foreign workers must know for the protection of their rights and smooth workplace life.
1. 2026 Minimum Wage (Must Check!)
All workplaces must pay wages above the amounts below. (Application period: 2026. 1. 1. ~ 2026. 12. 31.)
Category | 40 hours/week (209 hours/month) | 44 hours/week (226 hours/month) |
Hourly Wage | 10,320 KRW | - |
Daily Wage (8 hours) | 82,560 KRW | - |
Monthly Wage | 2,156,880 KRW | 2,332,320 KRW (Applies only to businesses with fewer than 5 employees) |
2. Working Conditions by Business Size
The rules differ depending on how many employees work at your workplace.
Businesses with 5 or more employees
Working hours: 8 hours per day, 40 hours or less per week (up to 12 additional hours per week possible by agreement)
Break time: 30 minutes after 4 hours, 1 hour or more after 8 hours
Day off: If you work every day for a week without fail, you get a paid day off (paid weekly holiday)
Additional allowances: For overtime or night work (10 PM to 6 AM), you receive an additional 50% of the original wage.
Businesses with 4 or fewer employees
The minimum wage applies the same, but overtime/night allowances and annual leave regulations may not apply.
However, severance pay and paid weekly holiday system apply the same.
4. Worker Protection and Precautions (Important!)
Deduction of accommodation and meal costs: When deducting dormitory or meal costs from your monthly wage, you must sign a deduction consent form in your native language.
Workplace compliance: Working outside the location specified in the employment contract is illegal.
Reporting contract violations: If the promised wage before entry is not paid or labor laws are violated, the employment permit may be canceled, and the worker will be protected.