Home | Databases | WorldLII | Search | Feedback National Human Rights Commission of Korea - Complaint Summaries

Recommendation on Eliminating Discrimination against Hourly-paid Lecturers [2004] KRNHRC 38 (1 May 2004)

The system for hourly-paid college lecturers was originally intended for temporary hiring
of professors from other universities or specialists in certain fields. However, the system is
expanded to apply to positions to employ full-time professors. At present, hourly-paid lecturers
teach many classes offered at universities.

Unlike the past, when hourly-paid lecturing was recognized as a stage in training before
appointment to full professorship, hourly-paid lecturers now form a category of vocations.
Universities, nonetheless, do not consider lecturing as a regular vocation: the position of
lecturer is classified as miscellaneous. Universities do not sign specific employment contracts
with lecturers, so lecturers are not guaranteed legal status, unlike full-time teaching staff.
Compensation for hourly-paid lecturers is less than one-fifth that of full-time professors,
and they are not entitled to basic welfare schemes such as social insurances. The
compensation for lecturers is below the minimum living cost for family of four according
to figures by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2004.

The Commission concluded that the position and value of educational activities of
hourly-paid lecturers should be recognized, and discrimination against them should be
eliminated by paying them compensation commensurate with that of full-time faculty
members. In May 2004, the Commission made a recommendation to the Minister of
Education and Human Resources Development that discrimination against lecturers with
regard to working conditions, job security, compensation and benefits should be corrected.