South Korea’s Ministry Of Employment And Labor To Step Up Enforcement Of Regulations That Outlaw Gender Discrimination During Recruitment

The Ministry of Employment and Labor in South Korea announced its plan to step up the enforcement of guidelines that prohibit gender discrimination in companies.

Korea Herald reported Tuesday that the government would send major firms in South Korea guidelines on how to prevent gender discrimination during the hiring process.

The South Korean government revealed they would introduce a new set of guidelines to avoid gender discrimination to more than 2,000 companies and 82 major franchises to encourage them to eliminate gender discrimination during the hiring process.

Under the existing rules on gender discrimination, companies are not allowed to prohibit men or women in job openings without valid reasons. The rules state that companies are not allowed to specify their job postings according to gender.

Aside from that, companies are prohibited from using English expressions that can distinguish gender. Reports have revealed companies found violating the rules would be penalized of up to 5 million won.

Korea Times noted Tuesday that the South Korean government was compelled to come up with a new set of guidelines on gender discrimination following complaints from applicants who have been asked about their physical condition, as well as plans for marriage and childbirth, during interviews.

"Compared to the past, the number of cases is decreasing where recruitment notices directly demand specific gender or specific physical conditions or ask about marital status," an official from the Ministry of Employment and Labor said.

"But there still are many cases where interviewers ask applicants about their marriage plans or select only applicants with specific physical conditions for short-term or part-time positions."

The ministry also said gender discrimination during the hiring process covers exclusion of women, hiring only women, hiring men and women for different job positions, and employing different numbers of men and women.

The ministry also vowed it will intensify their campaign to raise the awareness of South Koreans about gender discrimination.

"Many employers do not even know such unreasonable recruitment conditions are illegal. We'll intensify our awareness campaign so that the rules are thoroughly implemented," the ministry stated.