[Unofficial translation provided by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

“Migrant worker group calls for cancellation of pilot project for foreign domestic workers”, 2 April 2025

The Seoul Metropolitan Government's pilot project to employ foreign students and other foreign nationals in domestic and childcare work has sparked significant controversy. As the full-scale implementation of the project approaches in June, migrant worker groups have raised concerns, arguing that it will lead to the creation of ultra-low-wage jobs below the minimum wage and infringe on migrant rights.

Migrant organisations have immediately expressed their opposition. They criticise the scheme as a racist policy that uses Article 11 of the Labour Standards Act, which excludes domestic workers from its protections, to force migrant workers to accept wages below the minimum wage.

...The private platform company ‘EasyTask,’ contracted by Seoul City to recruit participants, has also come under scrutiny. The Solidarity Committee has criticised EasyTask as an unqualified company lacking the necessary credentials to run employment services. They argue that such an unqualified company should not be entrusted with tasks like domestic and care work, which require specialised management. The Solidarity Committee has reported both Seoul City and EasyTask to the Seoul Metropolitan Police.

Im Jae-geun, Director of Foreign and Immigrant Affairs at Seoul City, […] stated, “I have reviewed the press release and will consider it thoroughly.”

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre approached EasyTask to respond to the concerns raised in this report, but did not receive a response.