The government plans to renew the employment contract of 340,000 irregular workers at government and public organizations on a regular basis, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said Monday.

Those irregulars whose job status will be upgraded to quasi-regular with a contract renewal guarantee will be able to retire at the same age as other regular workers, but will be paid less than them.

The Labor Ministry asked government agencies and their affiliate organizations, including public corporations and institutes, to draw out contract renewal plans by April 15. They will be required to report their progress twice a year.

The public organizations must start screening eligible irregular workers. To be qualified for regular contract renewal, irregulars should have a minimum working experience of two consecutive years and also are expected to do the same or similar job for more than two years in the future, the ministry said.

If upgraded to the status of regular contract renewal, workers will receive welfare allowance of 300,000 won ($260) a year and perks such as up to 1 million won in holiday bonuses and job security same as those hired as regulars from the beginning.

Moreover, their working experience as irregular workers will be acknowledged when determining salaries or promotions.

“The only difference from existing regular workers will be the fact that their duties will be simpler and that they will be paid a little less,” a ministry official told The Korea Herald.

Still, the elderly, replacement workers and those with higher education backgrounds such as doctoral degrees and those who work in highly specialized fields will be exempt from contract renewal plan, the ministry said.

Elderly people exceed the age limit and those with higher educational background are already paid more than regular workers, meaning that contract renewal will be less beneficial, the ministry official said.

“The government will continue to focus on improving the employment status of irregular workers at workplaces. The plan is expected to inspire other companies to follow the lead and seek for contract upgrades,” said Employment and Labor Minister Lee Chae-pil at a meeting with postal workers in Gyeonggi Province on Monday morning.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)