최저임금 인상이 장애인 고용에 미치는 효과

This study examines the causal impact of minimum wage increases on the employment of persons with disabilities. While numerous studies have explored the effects of minimum wage policies on the overall labor market, evidence focusing specifically on disabled workers—who are disproportionately concentrated in low-wage and unstable employment—remains scarce. Using the Disability and Employment Survey and a difference-in-differences framework to address endogeneity, this research finds that a percentage point increase in the minimum wage application rate reduces the employment growth rate of disabled wage earners by about 1.26 percentage points. The negative impact is particularly pronounced among part-time workers, full-time regular employees, and those employed in the service sector. Although disabled workers were expected to be more vulnerable to minimum wage shocks, the estimated marginal effect is comparable to that of the general workforce (approximately –0.1457). This suggests that Korea’s institutional frameworks, including the mandatory employment quota for persons with disabilities and related support measures, have served as partial buffers against adverse employment effects. The findings highlight the need for complementary policies to mitigate the unintended consequences of minimum wage hikes on vulnerable groups while promoting inclusive labor market participation.