Portion of temporary workers all-time high at public firms

The portion of temporary workers at South Korea's top 30 public companies reached an all-time high level in 2014, data showed Sunday, as companies turned to contract-based employees to cut costs amid the protracted economic slump.

Temporary workers accounted for 31.2 percent of the combined workforce of the public firms in 2014, up from the 29 percent posted in 2010, the data compiled by market tracker CEO Score showed.

From 2010 to 2014, the number of nonregular workers in the 30 firms jumped 12.4 percent to 44,837, while that of regular staffers inched up 1.2 percent over the cited period, the data showed.

The Korea Racing Authority held the highest portion of temporary workers at 90.9 percent, followed by Incheon International Airport Corp. with 85.9 percent. The number of nonregular workers also outpaced that of regular counterparts at Korea Airports Corp. and Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority.

Only 10 public firms surveyed expanded the number of regular staff, the data showed. (Yonhap)