Ministry of Gender Equality’s First Official Investigation on ‘Gender Discrimination’

On May 15, Ministry of Gender Equality concluded that the National Health Insurance Corporation’s (NHIC) proposal for the layoff of employee was in fact a case of gender discrimination which enforces dismissal of women, and decided to carry out the first official investigation on the case.

The Committee on Gender Equality Promotion pointed out that ‘NHIC’s criteria for personnel dismissal includes the layoff of one member within the couple who both work at the NHIC. This criteria will bring about the dismissal of woman instead of man regardless of her work-related ability. The Committee plans to advise the correction if NHIC’s proposal entails gender discrimination.

Ministry of Gender Equality also advised a company to pay the compensation amount of 3 million won to a female employee in charge of emotional suffering as well as unpaid salary while she was waiting for reappointment. The woman asked for a permission to wear casual clothing while on duty. The company, however, told the woman that ‘Secretary should wear uniform’ and, ordered her to leave her post until reappointment has been made to a different post.

Soh Young-A sya@donga.com