Perhaps this will provide ammunition in the battle to raise the minimum wage.

Four in 10 people who have held part-time jobs report not receiving the minimum wage (최저임금), a study has found.

On July 15 the part-time jobs portal site Career (커리어) announced the results of its survey of 603 college students and job-seekers, finding that 37.3 percent had experienced being paid less than minimum wage.

The reasons for not being paid minimum wage were given as “because I needed a job quickly” (52.9 percent of respondents), followed by “because I didn’t know there was a minimum wage” (35.1 percent) and “my employer changed my pay after hiring me” (12.4 percent).

42.7 percent did something about it, including quitting (30.7 percent) or bringing a complaint against the employer 98.0 percent).

68.1 percent agreed that the level for next year’s minimum wage is either “too low” or “low”.

The respondents chose 5,300 ($4.41) won as the appropriate level for the hourly minimum wage.

However, a survey of 193 employers found they think the level will be “high” or “too high”, with those opinions making up a majority (50.3 percent).

The minimum wage, currently 4,110 won per hour, will rise 5.1 percent to 4,320 won next year.