Daegu Ranks Last in Job Quality Nationwide, Discussing Standards for 'Daegu-Style Good Jobs'

With Daegu's employment rate and job quality (stability and compensation) ranking at the bottom nationwide, measures to improve the situation were discussed.

A forum hosted by the Daegu Regional Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) revealed that Daegu ranks lowest in 19 out of 20 job indicators. Experts diagnosed the main causes as the exodus of young people and an industrial structure centered on small and medium-sized enterprises. In response, Lee Seong-hyeop, a professor at Daegu University, pointed out that companies must be retained by guaranteeing adequate wages to hold onto young talent.

Blind spots in employment were also identified as targets for solutions. It was confirmed that the proportion of non-regular workers, including freelancers in the Daegu region, is approaching 40%. However, there is currently no ordinance in place to protect platform workers, such as delivery drivers. Jeon Hyeo-joo, a researcher at the Busan Labor Rights & Interests Center, emphasized the need for policies to protect platform workers and special contract workers, stating, "Creating ordinances must be the starting point."

Amid the expansion of public welfare projects, the task of improving the quality of social service jobs was also raised. Jang Ji-hyeok, the chairman of the Daegu Civil Society Alliance, stated that the city of Daegu must maintain and expand employment in these sectors and provide services, noting, "We are still short on personnel for services like Nadri Call and educational welfare officers."

Establishing standards tailored to the regional labor market was highlighted as a key point of discussion. Creating 'Daegu-style good jobs' that allow youth and workers to remain in the region was identified as a remaining challenge.