[THE INVESTOR] The average salary at small and medium enterprises in South Korea was 60 percent that of bigger conglomerates in 2015, according to records on Sept. 29.

Statistics provided by the Small and Medium Business Administration to the parliamentary trade committee said the monthly average last year at smaller firms was 2.93 million won (US$2,674), approximately 60.6 percent of the 4.85 million won for their colleagues at conglomerates.

The wage gap between them has not changed much for five years -- 60.5 percent in 2011, 62.1 percent in 2012, 62.2 percent in 2013, and 60.6 percent in 2014.

The biggest difference was in manufacturing, construction and health sectors. In construction, workers at small companies received 44.9 percent of the salary at bigger firms.

Workers in health and social welfare segment received 52.5 percent. Those in manufacturing were paid 54.1 percent and hires at accommodations and restaurant business 56.6 percent.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)