Income grew at slower pace for part-timers

Part-time workers in South Korea saw their income grow at a slower pace in 2015 than the previous year, data showed on Monday.
The average monthly salaries for part-time workers stood at 653,391 won ($544.95) last year, up 2.7 percent from 635,996 won a year earlier, according to data compiled by job search portal Alba.co.kr.
The figures were based on a survey conducted on 17,829 local workers who earned a living through part-time work for every month last year.
Last year’s growth rate was below the 8.2 percent on-year rise posted in 2014. The average hourly pay for part-time employees also rose at a slower pace of 5.9 percent on-year, compared to the 10.8 percent increase in 2014.
“Demand for part-time workers fell last year due to a sluggish economy, which left consumer spending anemic and caused more one-man operations to go out of business,” Alba.co.kr said.
The gender income gap also worsened last year.
Male part-time workers earned 756,700 won per month, while female counterparts made 579,900 won, leading to an income gap of 176,800 won. The disparity was 159,634 won in 2014.
By sector, consulting and sales-related jobs boasted the highest monthly average wage of 887,962 won, followed by information technology and design careers, and accounting positions.
(khnews@heraldcorp.com)