일본의 임금체계에 관한 연구

This study focuses on the differences between wage structures of Korea and Japan in terms of wage range and criteria for wage calculation according to the Labor Standards Act. In Korea, wages are classified into average wages and ordinary wages according to the Labor Standards Act. Average wages are wages that serve as criteria for calculating legal allowances such as severance pay and accident compensations; ordinary wages are standard wages for computing overtime payments. However, this method of wage classification is ambiguous so it causes confusion in calculating allowances, bonuses, severance pay, and so forth. It also leads to distorted wage structure of enterprises. The range of ordinary wages has recently emerged as a hot issue between labor and management as the Supreme Court ruled that regular bonus also pertains to ordinary wages. As for Japan, wage range and criteria for wage calculation are clearly stipulated in the relevant act in an effort to minimze any potential disputes between labor and management. This is the basic difference between wage structures of the two countries. Therefore, Korea needs to clearly stipulate the wage range and criteria for wage calculation in its Labor Standards Act. In other words, it is necessary to establish legal criteria for clarifying which wages are standard wages for calculating ordinary wages and average wages. Korea’s wage structure is complicate due largely to the dichotomized wage range (ordinary wage and average wage) and less clear cut criteria for wage calculation. The rational wage structure and clear Labor Act should be established to stabilize the labor- management relations and strengthen the enterprises’ competitiveness in Korea.