|
People in Seoul work the longest hours per year in the world, says a study by the Swiss financial group UBS. In its report "Prices and Earnings,Ħħ the Swiss financial group UBS says Seoulites spend more than 2,300 hours at work each year. That's the longest among 71 world cities surveyed. Based on a 42-hour workweek, the average Korean worker puts in about 60 days a year more than their peers in Paris who spend just 1,480 hours on the job, the world's lowest.
"My official work hours are from 9 in the morning until 7 in the evening. But due to a heavy workload, I go home at around 8 or 9 about three times a week," one office worker said. "On average, I take off at 10 or 11 p.m. about three times a week. I do this for my company's success and for my own sense of accomplishment. Fortunately, I have my family's full support and understanding."
But do longer hours mean better salaries? Well, not quite. In Korea, dedication and sacrifice come before monetary pursuit, though money is often seen as a measure of success. The survey ranked Seoulites only 32nd in wages per working hours. Using New York's salary level of 100 as the benchmark, Seoul had a score of a mere 44. Tokyo led Asia in salary at 18th with 78 points. Topping the list, meanwhile, were the northern European cities of Copenhagen and Oslo.
In cost of living excluding rent, Seoul was the 24th most expensive city. Oslo topped the list, while Kuala Lumpur was at the opposite end of the scale. An example showing a clearer relationship between wages and prices is that it takes 29 minutes of work for Seoulites to buy a Big Mac burger, less than the global average of 35 minutes.
Arirang News
|
