The “Chair Campaign” in Korea: An Alternative Approach in Occupational Health and Safety for Service Workers

Abstract

In spite of the increasing number of service workers in Korea, their occupational health and safety concerns have largely been neglected. It is in this context that the Chair Campaign, which lasted four months, was launched as an alternative occupational health approach for service workers. The campaign succeeded in getting wide public support, bringing about a special inspection by the Ministry of Labor. Finally, chairs were provided for workers at checkout counters in 71 department stores and 449 large discount stores. However, there are still many workplaces where workers cannot sit, whether chairs are provided or not. Although there is still much to be done, this campaign raised social awareness that service workers, mainly women, have the right to work in healthy and safe conditions. This paper will review the campaign and evaluate its achievements and limitations.