If You Are Hit, Verbally Abused, or Sexually Harassed at Work

When does this apply?

• Your employer or manager hit you, pushed you, or threw things at you
• They cursed at you or said insulting things again and again
• They touched your body or said sexual things to you
• You suffered sexual violence
• It also counts if the employer's spouse, direct family members (parents, children, etc.), or coworkers did any of the things above.

Steps

1. Go to a safe place. If you are in danger, call 112 right away. You are allowed to leave the company.
2. If you are hurt, go to the hospital. Tell the doctor how you got hurt and get a 상해진단서 (medical certificate of injury). This certificate is the strongest evidence.
3. Collect evidence.
   • Take photos of your injuries. It is good if the date shows in the photo.
   • If you yourself are part of a conversation, you may record that conversation.
   • Take screenshots of text messages, KakaoTalk, and other messenger chats.
   • Write down when, where, who, and what happened, day by day.
   • If someone saw it, get their name and phone number.
   • Do not keep your evidence only on your phone. Also save it in your email or cloud storage.
4. Call a counseling line. Call whichever one is easiest for you: 1577-1366 (다누리콜센터), 1345 (외국인종합안내센터, Immigration Contact Center), or 1577-0071 (외국인력상담센터, Foreign Worker Counseling Center). An interpreter will help you.
5. Apply for a workplace change at the 고용센터 (Employment Center). Submit the application form and your evidence. You can ask for an interpreter.
6. File a complaint with the 고용노동부 (Ministry of Employment and Labor). You can file it online on the Labor Portal (labor.moel.go.kr), or go in person to the 지방고용노동관서 (regional labor office) in charge of your company's address. For counseling, call 1350.
7. File a criminal complaint. Assault, causing injury, and indecent assault (unwanted sexual touching by force) are crimes. You can give a written criminal complaint to the police station. Submit your medical certificate and evidence with it.

Changing workplaces

• The 고용노동부 notice "Reasons for Workplace Change Not Caused by the Foreign Worker" includes violence, repeated verbal abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual violence by the employer.
• Because this is the employer's fault, it does not count toward your number of workplace changes.
• If the employer commits sexual violence, there is a process to move to a new workplace urgently. Tell the 고용센터 you want an "긴급 사업장 변경" (urgent workplace change).
• Apply at the 고용센터 within 1 month after your work contract ends.
• If you do not find a new workplace within 3 months after you apply, you must leave Korea. If you could not find one because you were injured or sick, there is a system to extend this period.
• Check with the 고용센터 or 1345 whether you can apply even if your employer will not sign, and which documents you need.

Be careful

• Do not just put up with it. As time passes, injuries heal and evidence disappears. It is best to get the medical certificate right away.
• If someone offers you settlement money and asks you to sign a written promise, do not sign right away. First call a counseling line and check what it says.
• If the company tries to take your passport or 외국인등록증 (Alien Registration Card), do not give it. Keeping it by force is illegal.
• Your employer may say, "If you report, I will send you back to your country." Your employer does not have the power to deport you.
• Article 104 of the 근로기준법 (Labor Standards Act) bans firing or unfair treatment because you reported to the labor authorities. The penalty is up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to 2천만원 (20 million 원).
• If someone treats you unfairly because you reported sexual harassment, under the 남녀고용평등법 (Equal Employment Opportunity Act) this can be punished with up to 3 years in prison or a fine of up to 3천만원 (30 million 원).
• From November 6, 2025, labor inspectors do not report foreigners to immigration when they report unpaid wages. Ask 1345 whether the same applies to reports of violence or sexual harassment. (Official confirmation needed)

Frequently asked questions

Q. I cannot speak Korean. Can I still call 112? A. Yes. You can ask to be connected to an interpreter. Save your company's address on your phone so you can tell them where you are.

Q. Can I do anything if I have no evidence at all? A. You can still report. But with evidence, it is much easier to be believed. Start keeping records now.

Q. I have no place to sleep. A. 다누리콜센터 1577-1366 is open 24 hours and can guide you to emergency protection (a shelter). Local support groups for migrant workers can also help.

Q. If I report, do I have to quit my job? A. Not always. But if it is hard to keep working there, you can also apply for a workplace change.

Q. I was discriminated against, but it was not violence. A. You can get counseling and file a complaint with the 국가인권위원회 (National Human Rights Commission of Korea) at 1331. Foreigners in Korea can also file a complaint.

Where to get help

• Police 112 / Ambulance 119 (emergency)
• 다누리콜센터 (Danuri Call Center) 1577-1366 (24 hours, 13 languages including Nepali)
• 여성긴급전화 (Women's Emergency Hotline) 1366 (24 hours, for victims of violence)
• 외국인종합안내센터 (Immigration Contact Center) 1345 (many languages)
• 외국인력상담센터 (Foreign Worker Counseling Center) 1577-0071 (many languages including Nepali, 365 days, 09:00~18:00; on Saturdays and public holidays, a duty counselor answers)
• 고용노동부 Customer Counseling Center 1350, Labor Portal labor.moel.go.kr
• 국가인권위원회 (National Human Rights Commission of Korea) 1331 (weekdays 09:00~18:00)