What can I do if my employer doesn't pay my wages?

You can claim overdue wages through the Wage Claim Guarantee Act, request a wage‑claim certificate, have a labor inspector investigate, and if needed file an application for remedy with the Labor Relations Commission within three months of the unpaid‑wage incident; full details below.

Details

• Your right: Under the Wage Claim Guarantee Act you may obtain a wage‑claim certificate and pursue legal remedies for unpaid wages【1†L1-L3】.
• When arrears are large: If unpaid wages total 20 million won within one year, the Labor Standards Act’s special provisions apply, allowing the Ministry of Employment and Labor to act directly【4†L1-L3】.

Step‑by‑step actions

1. Gather evidence – keep pay slips, contract, bank statements showing non‑payment.
2. Request a wage‑claim certificate – submit the request online or at your regional labor office under the Wage Claim Guarantee Act【1†L1-L3】.
3. File a complaint with a labor inspector – the inspector can enter the workplace, request accounting records, and issue a corrective order【1†L6-L8】.
4. Apply for remedy – if the employer still refuses, submit an “application for remedy” to the Labor Relations Commission within three months of the wage‑delay incident【1†L13-L15】.
5. Commission order – the Commission may issue an order of remedy that the employer must obey; non‑compliance can lead to final enforcement after the statutory review period【1†L15-L17】.
6. Possible penalties for the employer – fines up to ₩1,000,000 for negligence or up to ₩20 million (and possible imprisonment) for violating the Minimum Wage Act【1†L31-L33】.

Where to go

• Ministry of Employment and Labor – regional labor office: file the wage‑claim certificate and request inspection.
• Labor Relations Commission: submit the application for remedy (forms available at the office or online).

Hotlines for immediate help

• 1350 – Labor Office (wage disputes, inspection requests).
• 132 – Korea Legal Aid Corporation (free legal advice).
• 1577‑0071 – Foreign Worker Counseling Center (language assistance).