Gender Discrimination in the Job Market in South Korea Term Paper

Gender Discrimination in the Job Market in South Korea - Term Paper Example Women in all countries around the world report that they are paid lower salaries than their male counterparts are. According to the International Labor Organization ILO report, women earn about 20-30 percent less than what their male counterparts earn globally (Monk-Turner and Turner, 2003). Surprisingly, a survey conducted by ILO found that South Korean women as being the worst discriminated in the labor market. The ILO researchers found that Korean men have continued to enjoy a higher economic return than their female counterparts do. For instance, a survey conducted in 1988 by the ILO found that whereas Korean men earned an average salary of 2101 won, their female counterparts only earned an average wage of 1009 won. This indicates a huge wage gap compared to the average wage gap recorded I n other countries around the world. This wage gap implied that for every 48 won that a Koreans woman earned, their male counterparts earned 100 won. This translates to 48 percent wage gap. The ILO report also indicted that, early on in 1980, for every dollar that a Korean man earned, women early only 45 cents (Monk-Turner and Turner, 1994). This was the worst ever wage gap recorded in this time in the entire world. Despite the affirmative action and labor policies that have been enacted in South Korea, the labor wage gap between South Korean men and women and women have remained relatively higher that the global average. Factors Responsible For Gender Wage Gap in South Korean Labor Market Many people fail to understand why the gender wage gap has persisted in the Korean labor market despite the increased affirmative action going on in the country. However, a number of theories exist that may help in understanding the persistence of gender wage gap in the South Korean... Currently, Korea boasts to being the home of some of the leading electronic companies in the world. Some of the leading South Korean companies include Samsung and LG. Despite the achievements that the country has made in the past few years, gender discrimination remains one of the biggest challenges facing its labor market. Monk-Turner and Turner (2003) indicated that most companies in the country discriminate against the female gender. South Korean women face different kinds of discrimination in the labor market. This includes unemployment, low salary, promotion problems, and lack of consideration for managerial position. Gender discrimination in employment remains one of the major challenges that most women face in the present day society. Even though most countries have made significant achievement in empowering women to participate in the country’s development by attaining better education and getting good jobs, women are still discriminated against in employment in many countries the world over. This is particularly so in South Korea where most employers still see women as being inferior to their male counterparts. However, it is high time South Korean employers start according women equal treatment by giving them an equal opportunity as their male counterparts. This is because women too are productive just as men. In addition, the South Korean government needs to promote the involvement of women in employment without bias. The involvement of women in employment will certainly help boost the South Korean economy.