The Seoul Metropolitan Government will introduce the “Freelancer Safe Payment” service

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will introduce the “Freelancer Safe Payment” service for the first time in public institutions to create a safe transaction environment between freelancers and clients and will provide full-fledged services from the 11th.

“Freelancer Safe Payment” is a safe payment service that deposits the work paid by the client at a payment deposit institution such as a bank and pays the payment to the freelancer when the work is finished.

According to the “Study on Introducing the Seoul Metropolitan Freelance Career Certification System” released last year by the Seoul National University of Science and Technology’s Industry-Academic Cooperation Group, about 17% of freelance workers have worked and received payments or received them belatedly.

A city official said, “We expect to prevent problems that often occur in existing freelance transactions, such as non-payment of payments and non-compliance of work, and spread a fair and transparent contract culture.”

The safe payment service is available after signing up for membership on the Seoul Labor Portal (seoullabor.or.kr ), a comprehensive labor information platform in Seoul. Fees for using the service are free, and if the client pays by card, the amount excluding card payment fees will be paid to freelancers.

In October last year, the city signed a “business agreement to support freelance escrow services” with Shinhan Bank and has been jointly developing the system. In February, a business briefing session was held for freelancers and clients to guide them on how to operate and use it, and system stability and user convenience were also verified through pilot operations.

“Freelancer Safe Payment” will benefit not only freelancers but also companies that place orders. Seoul-based companies that have completed transactions using the safe payment system will be provided with incentives such as policy funds and credit guarantee support from the Seoul Credit Guarantee Foundation and additional points for certification of “Hi Seoul Company.”

Along with the Freelancer Safe Payment service, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to operate a Dispute Counselor Group consisting of 35 experts in law, academia, conflict management and freelance fields to support civil complaints and dispute counseling that may arise during the transaction process.

In addition, the city plans to develop a “career management system” so that the details of safe payment transactions can be recognized as the official career of freelancers by the end of this year, and start services next year. The city believes that this will allow freelancers to systematically manage their work history and use it as career evidence in future employment or financial transactions.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will sign a “business agreement to introduce and spread freelance safe payment services” at Seoul City Hall on the 10th to revitalize the use of the “Freelancer Safe Payment Service.” The agreement will be joined by Sangmyung University, Sejong University, Indeok University, Korea Platform Freelancer Labor Mutual Aid Association, Korea Productivity Headquarters, Korea Efficiency Association, Korea Design Industry Association, Korea Webtoon Industry Association, and Seoul Theater Association.

“We will increase the reliability of the freelance market and establish a more stable trading environment through the introduction of this service,” said Kim Tae-kyun, deputy mayor of Seoul Metropolitan Government. “We will continue to supplement the service by reflecting user opinions and take the lead in creating fair contracts and labor culture for the underprivileged such as freelancers.”