South Korea has 880,000 platform workers, including delivery and proxy drivers, with an average monthly income of 1.45 million won

In South Korea, the number of "platform workers" such as delivery riders and substitute drivers was estimated at about 880,000 as of last year. The average monthly income of platform workers was 1.45 million won.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Employment Information Service conducted a nationwide survey of 50,000 people aged 15 to 69 last year to conduct a survey on the actual situation of platform workers in 2023.
The number of people working on the platform last year was 883,000, up 11.1% (88,000) from the previous year (795,000). In 2021, the number is expected to increase to 66
Platform workers are people who work for or arrange jobs on online platforms such as smartphone apps and websites, and earn income through them.
As technology advances, the number of platforms increases and people have a growing preference for more flexible work methods, so the number of platform workers is on the rise.
In this survey, respondents cited the following as their motivations for starting platform work: 'Because I can earn more money' (36.1%), 'Because I can choose the hours and days I work' (20.9%),
Reasons cited included, 'Workplace/organizational life doesn't suit me' (10.2%) and 'To be able to balance work with housework, school work, childcare, etc.' (7.5%).
By occupation, the largest number of people were in 'delivery and driving' with 485,000 people, followed by 'professional services' such as education and consultation with 14,000 people.
40,000 people, 87,000 people in 'simple computer work' such as data entry, 52,000 people in 'housework and caregiving', 50,000 people in 'creative activities' such as design, and 41,000 people in 'IT services'.
As the COVID-19 pandemic ended, the number of delivery and driving workers decreased by 5.5% compared to the previous year, and the number of housekeeping and care workers also decreased by 1.9% despite an increase in demand.
On the other hand, the remaining fields saw double-digit increases. Although there were more males, the proportion of females also increased from 25.8% last year to 29.6%. By age, the largest number of people were in their 30s at 28.7%, followed by those in their 40s.
Among all platform workers, 55.6% were “main occupation.” Main occupation refers to those who work mainly on platforms.
This applies when the income of a platform worker accounts for 25-50% of the total income or when the worker works 10-20 hours a week.
The percentage of people who worked part-time or had a side job accounted for 21.8% of the total, while 22.6% were intermittent participants, working less than 10 hours a week or earning less than 25% of their total income.
Compared to the previous year, the proportion of people with main occupations decreased by 2.1%, while the proportion of people with part-time occupations and intermittent participation increased slightly.
Last year, platform workers worked an average of 14.4 days a month, 6.2 hours a day, earning 1,452,000 won (about 141,285 yen) a month.
Compared to the previous year, the number of hours worked and monthly salary (1,464,000 won (about 153,059 yen) in 2022) have both decreased slightly, but they are working more occasionally than full-time workers.
This is believed to be due to the increase in the number of people working. Platform workers are concerned about 'demands for work that are not specified in the contract' (12.2%), 'health and safety risks and insecurity' (11.9%), and other issues while working.
% of respondents said they had experienced difficulties such as "unilateral contract changes" (10.5%), and "not being able to get a job" (10.5%). In addition, when they tried to move to another job, their work history was not properly recognized (9.7%), and the report
In some cases, wages were delayed (9.5%). Kwon Chang-jun, a labor reform policy officer at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, said, "The number of platform workers is expected to continue to increase, but
"We will proactively work to establish a law to support the weaker working people (provisional title), and will promote the preparation of standard contracts, the establishment of places of relaxation, and support for conflict resolution," the ministry said.
did.