`Working moms earn far less than childless women in Korea`

Korean working mothers earn less than not only their male counterparts but also childless women, marking the second-largest income gap between same-sex employees among member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD.

This is because the poor childcare environment in Korea often drives female workers who earn high incomes to quit their jobs after childbirth, while working women from low-income families get low-paying work such as temporary gigs.

According to a wage gap report released Tuesday by the OECD, Korean women earned 13 percent less than men while working moms earned 46 percent less. The gap of 33 percentage points between working mothers and childless women is the second largest among OECD members countries, following Japan with 37 percent.

Korea’s poor environment for childcare is said to have contributed to the huge gap in women’s salaries. In the early stage of a career, the income gap between men and women is not big because the educational gap between genders has disappeared, giving women more opportunities to get high-end jobs.

After giving birth, many women choose to stop working because of lack of sufficient childcare facilities and the high cost of childcare. In particular, high-paying jobs at big companies are disadvantageous to working mothers, making it difficult for them to stay at their jobs.

The OECD report said Korea`s working environment needs to grow more family-friendly for both sexes. To narrow the income gap in Korea, the report suggested more flexible working hours and paternity leave systems to increase men’s share of housework, which is an estimated 45 minutes per week.

january@donga.com