Ensuring flexibility in the 52-hour workweek
이 글자크기로 변경됩니다.
(예시) 가장 빠른 뉴스가 있고 다양한 정보, 쌍방향 소통이 숨쉬는 다음뉴스를 만나보세요. 다음뉴스는 국내외 주요이슈와 실시간 속보, 문화생활 및 다양한 분야의 뉴스를 입체적으로 전달하고 있습니다.
The new government is embarking on labor reform with a focus on changing the rigid work hours and pay system. It proposes flexibility in the 52-hour workweek and work terms for senior employees.
In an emergency economy-related cabinet meeting last week, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choo Kyung-ho, who also serves as finance minister, pointed out that labor rules and customs drawn up in the manufacturing-focused industrial period have become “clothes that no longer fit” in the age of advanced and diversified economic and industrial structure. He declared that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration will start labor reforms to preemptively respond to a shift in our industrial structure to help address accumulated inefficiency, disparities and imbalance in the labor market.
The reform outline announced by the Ministry of Employment and Labor last Thursday proposes flexibility in the draconian 52-hour workweek (12-hour overtime added to the maximum 40 hours of work per week). The ministry wants to condone overtime beyond 12 hours in a certain week if maximum overtime does not exceed 48 hours per month.
The 52-hour workweek has been enforced to prevent overwork. But the uniformity has made it difficult to keep up with the workload when demand is high. As a result, labor and management had to first seek a mutual agreement on their extended work hours and approval from the government every time. In most advanced economies, overtime is coordinated between the labor and management and does not fall under government oversight.
The Yoon administration has embarked on fixing the labor terms in line with global standards instead of being swayed by powerful umbrella unions as in the past. But there is much work and many differences to be ironed out. In developed countries, replacement workers are allowed during strikes. While campaigning, Yoon agreed to the seating of a labor representative on boards of public corporations. Labor conflict, a primary source of the weakening economy, could worsen if hard-line unionists gain influence in management.
The Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) pointed out the labor reform outline of the new government does not include effective ways to address the imbalance of power between employers and employees. The KEF demanded the labor ministry allow companies to use replacement workers and ban occupation of worksites by labor.
To rationalize work hours, the Basic Labor Act should be revised. The National Assembly has been mired in an impasse. But bipartisanship is required to carry out labor reforms to enhance competitiveness of our economy in the fourth industrial revolution age.
Copyright © 코리아중앙데일리. 무단전재 및 재배포 금지.
- After 512 episodes, Yumi and her cells say their final goodbye
- [WHY] Koreans' love-hate relationship with Samsung
- China turns the table on Korea with low-end chips
- TvN to launch new entertainment show 'Earth Arcade' on June 24
- Volkswagen Group Korea names Korean woman as new head of Audi Korea
- Yoon Hye-jin speaks about her husband's sexual assault scandal for first time
- Lee Tae-hwan from 'Thirty-Nine' to join military next Monday
- [CELEB] Nayeon of Twice is ready to introduce herself as a new solo artist
- President Yoon Suk-yeol thanks Korean War veterans for their service
- Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol avoids questions on BTS's military service