The government is pushing measures to ease the 52-hour workweek for workers in the Honam semiconductor mega special zone. It is also reviewing making labor rules more flexible, including extending fixed-term employment by two more years beyond the current maximum of two years.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) on the 31st, the ministry on the 27th briefed lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea on the National Assembly's Committee on Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor on the direction of promoting a special law on labor for mega special zones, including these measures.
The ministry's report was said to include the so-called "52 hours+α" plan, under which, if workers agree, the weekly 52-hour cap would be removed for managers and research and development personnel in the top 3% income bracket, and overtime, night, and holiday pay would not apply, with regular allowances paid instead.
It was also understood that a plan was discussed to extend the term of use for fixed-term workers by an additional two years beyond the current two years if agreed to in writing, and to pay a fairness allowance if the contract ends without conversion to a permanent position.
An official at the labor ministry said, "It is true that the related details were shared with the committee," adding, "Nothing has been specifically decided regarding the mega special zone law."