South KoreaI'm a dispatched worker. Can I be converted to regular?
Yes, dispatched workers in South Korea may be converted to regular employees after working continuously for 2 years at the same client company, under the Dispatched Workers Protection Act.
What the Law Says
South Korean law provides a pathway for dispatched workers to gain regular employee status under specific conditions. The key provision is found in the Act on the Protection, Etc. of Dispatched Workers.
Under the Dispatched Workers Protection Act, if a worker has been dispatched to the same client company for more than two consecutive years, they are entitled to request conversion to regular employment status with that client company.
The client company must respond to such a request within 30 days. If it refuses without just cause, the worker may file a complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
Upon conversion, the worker must receive wages and benefits equal to those of regular employees performing the same or similar work — i.e., full wage parity (100%).
This right applies only to dispatches arranged through licensed dispatch agencies and does not cover certain exempted industries or positions listed in the Enforcement Decree.
Statutory TextWhere a dispatched worker has been dispatched to the same client company for more than two years, the client company shall, upon request by the dispatched worker, employ the worker as its regular employee.
— Act on the Protection, Etc. of Dispatched Workers, s. 5-2 — Conversion to Regular Employment Status
Statutory TextThe client company shall respond to the request referred to in paragraph (1) within thirty days from the date of receipt thereof.
— Act on the Protection, Etc. of Dispatched Workers, s. 5-2(2)
What to Do
Confirm you have worked continuously for over 2 years at the same client company through a licensed dispatch agency.
Submit a written request for conversion to regular status to the client company.
If denied or unanswered within 30 days, file a complaint with the local Employment and Labor Office.
Request wage parity documentation and compare your pay/benefits with regular staff doing equivalent work.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.