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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor has launched a workplace inspection into IICOMBINED, the operator of eyewear brand Gentle Monster, following allegations of excessive overtime and unpaid labor involving young workers.
According to the ministry on January 6, labor inspectors began an official inspection of IICOMBINED’s headquarters in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. The inspection targets alleged irregularities in the company’s labor practices.
The move follows claims that Gentle Monster and its affiliates have improperly applied the discretionary working hours system. Under South Korean labor law, the discretionary work system allows employers, by written agreement with employee representatives, to deem a certain number of hours worked when job characteristics—such as design work—require substantial autonomy in how tasks are performed.
However, the ministry said designers at the company are reportedly required to adhere to fixed start and end times and receive specific instructions from management, conditions that may not meet the legal requirements for discretionary work arrangements. Workers have also alleged that long working hours are frequently imposed.
Through the inspection, the labor ministry plans to examine whether the discretionary work system has been operated appropriately. Authorities will also review overall compliance with labor-related laws, including working hours, leave and rest provisions, holidays, and potential wage arrears.
The ministry said it will take strict action if any violations are identified.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
