독일 한인간호여성의 노동의 성격

Labor charateristcs of Korean nurses in Germany

During 1960s and 1970s, Korean female migrant workers went to Germany due to social, economic and political situations of both countries. Besides these factors, missionary work, education program, development aid and Cold war served their roles. Regardless of their education and qualification to work in hospitals or sanatoriums in Germany, those women were involved in same type of work. Their work included nursing, recuperation of patients and senior cares, which are extensive physical labors and service work of very low level. This was caused by Europe s tradition so that there were less young adults who wanted to work in this area. At that time, Korean women didn t have learning opportunities and they were forced to work to support their families. Therefore, they considered Germany as a land of opportunity and chose to work there. The general obstacles such as language barrier and different culture made them work in different type of work, which was totally different from what they have imagined. In addition, consistent programs related to labor condition or treatment did not exist and labor contract was written in German and English, which they couldn t understand at all. Also, there was no protection provided from Korea. Labor was not the only thing that they provided. They contributed to social cost through social insurance and tax but their efforts were not fully recognized. Employment conditions have existed way before these Korean women were hired. However, these conditions took social benefits which Korean women could have enjoyed as a worker in German society away from them.