KBS Drama Staff, More Than 75% Not Freelancers, But Workers

Although about 75% of the staff working on production sites of popular TV dramas such as KBS 2TV's "Mother of Mine" are actually workers, they signed freelancer contracts and became subject to the government's corrective measures.

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The Minsitry of Employment (ME) announced the results of the labor supervision on four KBS drama productions such as "Mother of Mine", "My Fellow Citizens", "Doctor Prisoner" and "Left-handed Wife".

Of the 184 staff members working at the four drama production sites that were subject to labor supervision, 137 of them (75%) were recognized as workers under the Labor Standards Act, the ministry said.

Employees recognized as workers must sign a contract. On drama production sites, the staff usually sign a contract of 'business commission' through freelancing, instead of a contract as a worker. Because of this, they are not protected by labor laws, including the restriction of working hours.

The Ministry of Employment recognized the majority of the 'freelance' staff at the four drama production sites as actual workers. "The contract signed between team leader-level staff and team members is a contract of business delegation contract-wise, but we judged it to be equivalent to a contract of labor in terms of use and subordinate relationship, such as receiving considerable command and supervision from the team leader-level staff", the ministry said.

The results of the work supervision on them revealed 8 places that violated the restriction on overtime work, 3 places that violated the minimum wage, and 16 places that did not prepare written labor contracts. The ministry will take measures to correct violations of labor-related laws.