The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) on the 6th launched a planned labor inspection into a well-known eyeglass manufacturer over allegations of overwork and unpaid labor involving young workers. The ministry said it is conducting a labor inspection of the Seoul Seongdong-gu headquarters of IICOMBINED, which operates Gentle Monster.
The inspection follows allegations that the "discretionary work system" has been operated in a way that circumvents the rules at the business site. The discretionary work system is a scheme under which, for tasks such as design, research, and computer development—work of a nature that allows workers to determine their own methods and hours—"the hours agreed in writing between the employer and the workers' representative" are deemed to have been worked. IICOMBINED has deemed designer workers to have worked 47.5 hours per week regardless of how much they actually worked.
However, designer workers there said their start and finish times were fixed and that they received specific instructions from the employer at the business site. According to the ministry, if the employer's specific instructions are given on a constant and repeated basis, the discretionary work system can be deemed invalid. There were also claims that, to carry out their duties, they endured months of chronic overwork. They said the discretionary work system was abused as a means to legitimize long working hours rather than to uphold its intent of leaving work methods to individual autonomy.
The ministry plans to examine the appropriateness of how the discretionary work system has been operated during this inspection. It also plans to focus on checking for violations across labor-related laws, including working time management, granting of leave and holidays, and wage arrears. The ministry said, "If any violations of the law are confirmed, we will take stern action."
Minister Kim Young-hoon of the ministry said, "Working fairly and being compensated for the work done is the most basic of basics," adding, "Young workers must not be treated as cheap labor, and illegal and irregular practices such as overwork and unpaid labor will be corrected without fail."