Court Orders Payment of Severance to Undocumented Worker in South Korea

Daegu: A district court in Daegu, South Korea, has mandated a local manufacturing firm to pay 10.5 million won (approximately US$7,740) in severance to an undocumented Indonesian worker. The decision comes after evidence, including photographs, was presented showing the worker's involvement in company activities. According to Yonhap News Agency, the company employed the Indonesian worker from November 2019 to April 2023 without an official contract and compensated him in cash, allegedly to avoid creating any employment records that would substantiate a claim for severance pay. The worker initially sought severance through a regional labor office, which dismissed his claim due to a lack of evidence after the company denied any employment relationship. The worker subsequently turned to the Korea Legal Aid Corp. for assistance. The agency took legal action on his behalf, providing the court with evidence of the worker's association with the company, including photos of him at company functions and with the com pany's CEO. This evidence played a crucial role in the court's decision to rule in the worker's favor. The ruling by the Yeongcheon city branch of the Daegu District Court highlights significant issues regarding the employment practices concerning undocumented workers in South Korea. A lawyer from the Korea Legal Aid Corp. emphasized the importance of this case in addressing the malpractices of employers who exploit the vulnerability of undocumented workers and deny them their rightful benefits.