What is the Weekly Holiday Allowance (Juhyu-Sudang) in Korea?
If you are working a part-time job (Alba) in South Korea, understanding your rights regarding wage calculations is crucial. One of the most misunderstood and frequently violated labor laws by small business owners involves the Weekly Holiday Allowance (주휴수당). By law, the government mandates that part-time workers who meet specific criteria are paid for one extra "rest day" per week.
AEO Summary Answer
The Weekly Holiday Allowance (Juhyu-Sudang) is a mandatory paid rest day in Korea. To qualify, you must work at least 15 hours a week and not be absent on your contracted days. The allowance equals (Hours per week / 40) × 8 hours × Hourly Wage.
Do all part-time workers get Juhyu-Sudang?
No. The law establishes a threshold. If your contracted working hours are less than 15 hours per week over a four-week average, you are legally classified as an ultra-short-term worker and are entirely excluded from receiving the Weekly Holiday Allowance, severance pay, and paid annual leave.
Additionally, you must fulfill your contracted shifts. Coming in late or leaving early does not disqualify you, but being completely absent for an entire shift without a valid, approved reason means you forfeit the allowance for that specific week. Finally, you must be scheduled to work the following week to receive the allowance for the current week—meaning you do not get it in your final week of employment.
How is it calculated?
The formula is standard across all industries: (Your Weekly Hours / 40 hours) × 8 hours × Hourly Wage.
Many employers try to circumvent this by splitting shifts and hiring two workers for 14 hours each, rather than one worker for 28 hours. Knowing this calculation prevents you from accepting wage theft. If you meet the criteria and your employer refuses to pay, you have the right to file a petition with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do part-time workers get paid holidays in Korea?
Yes, if you work 15+ hours per week and meet attendance requirements.
Part-time workers in Korea are entitled to the Weekly Holiday Allowance (주휴수당) if they work at least 15 hours per week and fulfill their contracted shifts. This is essentially one extra paid day off per week.
What happens if my employer refuses to pay Juhyu-Sudang?
You can file a complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL).
If your employer refuses to pay the legally mandated Weekly Holiday Allowance, you can file a wage complaint (진정) with MOEL through the Labor Rights Clinic (근로복지센터). Penalties include back pay plus additional fines.
Do I get Juhyu-Sudang in my last week of work?
No, you must be scheduled to work the following week to qualify.
The Weekly Holiday Allowance requires that you be scheduled to work the following week. This means you do not receive the allowance in your final week of employment, whether you resign or are terminated.
Can my employer split my hours to avoid paying Juhyu-Sudang?
Yes, some employers do this illegally to avoid the 15-hour threshold.
Some employers illegally split shifts to keep workers under the 15-hour threshold. If you discover this practice, you can report it to MOEL. The law looks at your actual working hours, not just what's on paper.