Policy challenges for improving the sustainability of the massage industry

Introduction

The massage industry is one of the key sectors that plays an important role in the modern service economy. Beyond simple service, it has established itself as an important means of health, well-being, and healing, and it also accounts for a significant portion of the Korean economy.

However, this industry has recently faced a serious sustainability crisis. Structural problems such as illegal operations, poor working conditions, and low service quality are hindering the sound development of the industry. This situation threatens the rights of workers and the professionalism of the industry, and may have a negative impact on service quality and industrial competitiveness in the long term.

This study aims to comprehensively analyze the sustainability issues of the Korean massage industry and seek practical alternatives for industrial development. It is a time when an institutional and social approach is needed to secure the long-term sustainability of the industry beyond short-term profits.

Specifically, by systematically reviewing the current status of the industry, factors hindering sustainability, and policy alternatives to resolve them, we aim to contribute to the creation of a healthy ecosystem for the massage industry.

Current Status of the Korean Massage Industry

The Korean massage industry has experienced rapid change and growth in recent years. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of massage-related businesses will increase by about 15% from 2018 to 2022, with more than 3,500 businesses operating nationwide. The total sales volume of this industry is about 500 billion won per year, and it is showing continuous growth, especially due to the spread of health care and wellness trends.

In terms of employment, the massage industry includes about 20,000 direct workers, most of whom work in small and medium-sized businesses. However, a significant portion of this employment is characterized by unstable employment and low treatment. Most massage therapists work as freelancers or contract workers, and face great difficulties in securing social security and stable income.

In terms of service quality, the Korean massage industry is polarized. While some high-end spas and professional massage centers provide high-level services, many small businesses show significant gaps in professionalism and service quality. This is due to the lack of a systematic education and qualification system.

In terms of the regulatory environment, the Korean massage industry is located within a complex and ambiguous legal framework. Although various laws, such as the Medical Act and the Sports Facilities Act, partially regulate the massage industry, a comprehensive and clear regulatory system is still insufficient. As a result, illegal business and illegal operations remain major problems in the industry.

This situation presents serious challenges to the sustainability of the massage industry and emphasizes the need for a systematic approach and institutional improvement.

Factors hindering sustainability

Factors hindering the sustainability of the massage industry are characterized as complex and serious structural problems. These problems fundamentally threaten the sound development of the industry.

First, illegal business and tax evasion are seriously undermining the transparency of the industry. Many massage businesses operate in the informal economy and tend to avoid accurate tax reporting and legal regulations. These illegal practices distort the fair competitive environment and weaken the competitiveness of legally operating businesses.

Second, the poor working conditions of massage workers greatly threaten the sustainability of the industry. Most massage therapists face serious treatment problems due to unstable employment conditions, low wages, and lack of social security benefits. This leads to an exodus of excellent human resources, and in the long term, creates a vicious cycle that reduces the professionalism and service quality of the industry.

Third, the continuous decline in professionalism and service quality is weakening the fundamental competitiveness of the industry. The lack of a systematic education system causes the professionalism level of massage therapists to be uneven, which leads to a decline in the quality of services. Except for some high-end spas and specialized centers, most businesses show a large gap in standardized education and qualification management.

Finally, the excessive profit-seeking culture is threatening the ethical foundation of the industry. Business models that focus on maximizing short-term profits sacrifice the rights of workers and service quality, and seriously compromise the long-term sustainability of the industry.

These factors are closely linked, and solving one problem can lead to improvement in another problem. Therefore, a comprehensive and systematic approach is needed for the sustainable development of the massage industry.

Policy Alternatives

A multi-faceted policy approach is needed to improve the sustainability of the massage industry. First, institutional reorganization and regulatory reinforcement are urgent. Currently dispersed massage industry-related laws and regulations should be integrated and a clear legal framework should be established. Specifically, the registration and certification system for the massage industry should be strengthened to eradicate illegal operations, and regular on-site inspections and a strict administrative punishment system should be introduced.

A more proactive approach is needed to protect workers’ rights and promote welfare. Standard employment contract guidelines for massage therapists should be established, and welfare policies such as minimum wage guarantee, expansion of social insurance coverage, and support for regular health checkups should be developed. In particular, it is important to strengthen the social protection net for freelance and contract workers.

Improving the education and qualification system is key to improving service quality. A standardized massage education curriculum should be developed at the national level, and a systematic qualification certification system should be introduced. Support for continuous capacity development of massage therapists through regular retraining programs and a professional evaluation system, and transparent disclosure of employment information is also necessary.

An industry-level self-regulatory mechanism should be established to strengthen ethical management and social responsibility. We need to establish ethical management guidelines for massage businesses and introduce a certification and reward system for excellent businesses to create a positive industry culture.

These policy alternatives should be an integrated approach that goes beyond simple regulations to improve the overall ecosystem of the massage industry and benefit both workers and consumers. In the long term, these policies will contribute to increasing the sustainability of the massage industry and enhancing the industry’s professionalism and reliability.

Conclusion

The sustainability of the Korean massage industry is no longer an option but an essential task. Structural problems such as illegal operations, poor working conditions, and unstable service quality have seriously hindered the sound development of the industry.

The proposed policy alternatives seek fundamental changes in the industry’s ecosystem beyond simple regulations. An integrated approach such as institutional reform, protection of worker rights, improvement of the education system, and strengthening of ethical management is a key strategy to restore the professionalism and reliability of the massage industry.

In the long term, these efforts will lead to the promotion of worker rights, improvement of service quality, and securing economic stability in the industry. Sustainable development of the massage industry will be able to drive qualitative growth of the entire Korean service industry beyond individual companies.