Do Foreign Workers Get Severance Pay in Korea?
Do Foreign Workers Get Severance Pay in Korea?
“I am a foreign worker in Korea. Can I receive severance pay when I leave my job?”
Yes. Foreign workers may also be entitled to severance pay in Korea if they meet the legal requirements.
Being a foreign national does not by itself exclude you from Korea’s severance pay protections.
Who Can Receive Severance Pay?
In general, severance pay may apply when an employee:
Has worked continuously for at least one year
Has an average scheduled working time of at least 15 hours per week over a four-week period
This means that severance pay is not limited to full-time Korean employees. Part-time and foreign workers may also qualify when the requirements are met.
How Is Severance Pay Determined?
Under Korean law, qualifying employees are generally entitled to at least 30 days of average wages for each year of continuous service.
However, the actual amount can vary depending on the employee’s wage structure, working period, and other employment circumstances.
For this reason, simply multiplying your monthly salary by the number of years worked may not always give you the correct severance amount.
When Should Severance Pay Be Paid?
In principle, severance pay should generally be paid within 14 days after employment ends, unless the employer and employee agree to extend the payment date due to special circumstances.
Does It Apply to Foreign Workers?
Yes.
If you are considered an employee under Korean labor law and meet the applicable requirements, your nationality alone does not remove your right to severance pay.
However, questions can arise when working hours have changed, employment contracts have been renewed several times, or there is disagreement about the actual period of employment.
Leaving Your Job in Korea?
If you are planning to leave your job or have already resigned, it is worth checking whether you are entitled to severance pay and whether the amount offered by your employer is correct.
The exact qualifying period and severance amount can differ depending on your working hours, wage structure, employment history, and contract. Consulting a labor professional can help you determine the amount you may be entitled to receive.
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