Understanding female marriage immigrants’ participation in economic activities and their working conditions in South Korea

Using data from the 2012 National Multicultural Family Survey, this study examines various factors that influence female marriage immigrants’ participation in economic activities and their working conditions in South Korea. The results suggest that household characteristics, human capital and social relations–discrimination factors, as well as experience with employment support services, have significant positive effects on female marriage immigrants’ participation in economic activities and their working conditions. While the government’s employment support services positively affect marriage immigrants’ decision to participate in economic activities, they do not contribute toward improving their working conditions. There is a need for governmental employment support services to take specific actions to help improve the working conditions of immigrant women.