Korean immigrant workers short-changed

The results of a first-of-its-kind survey show that three out of four Korean immigrant workers do not receive overtime pay if they are entitled to it.
The study, entitled “Forgotten Workers,” was conducted by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF). It examined the conditions and challenges faced by low-wage, first-generation Korean immigrant workers in the New York City area.
Of the of 184 respondents, 131 were Queens residents employed in various low-wage industries, including dry cleaning, garment manufacturing, groceries and delis, restaurants, hair and nail salons, and health spas.
“I’ve realized that there are many other people besides me who work in nail salons for long hours and for low pay,” said “Mr. Lee,” a Flushing resident who secured a $17,500 settlement from the nail salon where he worked. “I know now how important it is for workers to learn about their rights and to assert them. I want to tell all the other workers, working in similar situations, not to give up but instead to fight for their rights.”
According to AALDEF Korean Workers Project Director Steven Choi, “The survey provides an important window into the working conditions and educational needs of the Korean immigrant community, both for Korean Americans and policymakers.”
“What’s clear is that we need to work toward better protections for Korean workers in a wide variety of industries, especially by providing in-language, know-your-rights information.”
Other key findings of the survey were:

28% of workers surveyed are undocumented immigrants.

Nearly all (94%) of the workers were limited in English language proficiency.

Close to half (47%) of those surveyed worked 60 hours or more per week, and almost two-thirds (64%) worked more than 50 hours per week. The average number of hours worked per week was more than 55 hours.

15% reported that they had health problems or had been injured because of their job, but 64% of all respondents did not know about their right to obtain workers’ compensation.

More than half (55%) did not know about unemployment insurance, and only 11% of workers had ever applied for it.

Close to a quarter (24%) of all workers believe they will lose their jobs if they complain to management.

91% of workers said they were not part of a union or any other organization to protect them.

Nearly one-third (31%) currently hold more than one job to support themselves.
Moreover, according to AALDEF officials, these problems are compounded by the fact that there is little detailed information about the Korean community.
“With more than 15,000 Korean Americans living below the poverty level in New York City, we believe that this data promotes greater awareness around the needs of an underserved community,” said Kathy Chae, Program Associate for the organization YKASEC-Empowering the Korean American Community. “Korean workers who are not getting paid a living wage or feel caught in an unsafe work environment are not alone, and should know they can reach out to community organizations or government agencies for help,” Chae said.