Korea mulls workhour revision as calls for flexibility get louder

[Photo by Lee Jin-han]

Amid an ongoing debate over South Korea’s 52-hour workweek policy introduced by the previous administration, small production facilities are grappling with challenges in hiring and meeting demand, leading to a call for flexibility in suspended work hours.

Ahead of a nationwide survey on the revision of the 52-hour workweek system and the anticipated announcement of potential revisions by the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Monday, industries are urging for a more flexible application of the existing system. They argue that if achieving autonomous decision-making on working hours through labor-management agreements proves difficult, exceptions should be made, particularly for sectors such as manufacturing and production.

In March, the government proposed a flexible application of the current 52-hour workweek system on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis. But it was quickly opposed due to concerns that the maximum working hours per week could potentially increase to 69 hours. While manufacturing and production facilities support autonomous decision-making via labor-management agreements, they also advocate for some easing of restrictions, particularly in sectors experiencing severe labor shortages after the expiration of the 8-hour additional extended work system, which has applied to businesses with fewer than 30 employees since January 2023.

An unnamed representative from a machine parts manufacturing company voiced concerns about the system. “We pushed for a change to three shifts this year from two shits last year, and we face practical difficulties in meeting deadlines,” suggesting adherence to the current system could potentially compel business owners to break laws.

Another unnamed company representative also highlighted the necessity for a revision in working hours, not only to facilitate the hiring of foreign workers but also to smoothly mobilize domestic skilled labor for manufacturing companies to survival in industrial complexes. “The rapid increase in the minimum wage and strengthened regulations on working hours have diminished our price competitiveness compared to Japanese companies,” the representative added.