Labor unions condemn proposed 52-hour workweek rule changes for Gwangju chip cluster

Key facts

• Two major South Korean labor unions are protesting a potential government relaxation of the 52-hour workweek rule.
• The proposed changes are reportedly for a new semiconductor production cluster in Gwangju.
• The unions issued a joint statement vowing to block a special law that would exempt certain white-collar workers.
• These workers, including managers and researchers in the top 3% of income earners, could be exempted from overtime limits and allowances.
• The unions demand a meeting with President Lee Jae Myung to discuss the issue.

South Korea's two largest labor federations have strongly denounced the government's alleged intention to ease the 52-hour workweek regulations for a planned semiconductor cluster in Gwangju. The Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions issued a joint statement on Monday, expressing their outrage and commitment to blocking a proposed special law that would exempt certain high-earning white-collar workers, such as managers and researchers, from the existing overtime and holiday work rules.

The unions stated that this move mirrors policies from the previous administration and is a bewildering step for the current government. They are demanding an immediate meeting with President Lee Jae Myung to initiate a social dialogue on the matter. The statement warned of potential confrontation if the government proceeds unilaterally with the special labor law.

The 52-hour workweek law, implemented in 2018, limits overtime to 12 hours per week. The proposed exemptions would apply to managers and researchers in the top 3% of income earners, replacing overtime and holiday pay with fixed allowances. The Ministry of Labor, however, clarified that the details of the special law are still under discussion and that they were merely explaining various demands from different sectors.