As the minimum hourly wage increases each year, the amount of the weekly paid rest-day allowance you can receive also changes. Recently, many workplaces include this allowance in the hourly wage upfront, so you need to review your contract more carefully. Below is how it is calculated and what to watch out for.
It is a paid rest-day allowance granted to workers who attend all scheduled workdays in a given week. Simply put, you can receive one extra day’s pay per week, even if you do not work that day.
You must meet both conditions:
1) Work at least 15 hours per week
Your total weekly working hours must be 15 hours or more.
2) Perfect attendance on scheduled workdays
You must show up on all agreed workdays. If you miss a scheduled day, the allowance is not paid for that week.
After calculating the average weekly working hours, you receive an additional day’s pay.
(Total weekly hours / 40) × 8 × Hourly wage
Example: hourly wage KRW 10,320, working 20 hours/week → allowance KRW 41,280
Some employers pay an “all-inclusive hourly wage” that already includes the weekly allowance. If so, check these two points:
① Is your base hourly wage at least the legal minimum?
If the all-inclusive hourly wage is KRW 11,000, the base hourly wage is about KRW 9,166 (11,000 ÷ 1.2).
This is below the 2026 minimum wage (KRW 10,320) → illegal.
② Is it clearly itemized in the contract?
It is not enough to say “it’s included” verbally. The contract must clearly itemize amounts, such as:
Base hourly wage KRW 00 + weekly allowance KRW 00 = total KRW 00.
Q. Do small convenience stores or restaurants have to pay it too?
Yes. It applies regardless of business size—any workplace with at least one employee must pay it.
Q. The owner says, “I pay a high hourly wage, so I don’t need to pay the allowance.”
Illegal. The allowance must be calculated separately; if included, it must be clearly stated in the contract.
Q. I was late or left early once—do I lose it?
You may still receive it. If you worked that day, it generally counts as attendance.
Q. I informed them in advance and took one day off.
In principle, even an agreed absence means you cannot receive the allowance for that week. However, absences due to illness, childbirth, or childcare may be treated differently depending on the case.
Q. What if I’m paid monthly or annually?
In many cases, monthly-paid workers are considered to have this allowance included in monthly pay. Still, when converted, the hourly wage excluding the allowance must be at least the minimum wage.
