KCTU: "Expansion of Special Overtime Work Will Leave Workers' Health Rights Unprotected"

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has claimed that the special extended working hours system, which will be expanded starting from the 31st, will leave workers' health rights unprotected.

In a statement released that day, the KCTU said, "The Ministry of Employment and Labor has announced that it will implement the 'Amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Labor Standards Act,' which expands special extended working hours, starting today," and criticized, "All key pledges to create a labor-respecting society have been abandoned, and only employers' demands to increase working hours have been accepted."

They added, "Measures to protect workers' health rights by employers are neither legally mandatory nor punishable if not enforced," and raised their voices, saying, "There is no possibility of strict post-management, so workers' health rights will be left defenseless."

They also expressed concern that since employers can apply for special extended working hours by obtaining consent from individual workers, if the management decides unilaterally, it could escalate disputes between labor and management.

Regarding the government's supplementary measures for the 52-hour workweek system, the KCTU pointed out, "They pushed for a grace period favorable to employers and legislative amendments to expand the flexible working hours system," and criticized, "When legislation became difficult, administrative measures expanding special extended working hours were implemented, reverting to allowing long working hours."

They continued, "Now, working hours can exceed 52 hours per week and extend up to 64 hours or more," and stated, "It seems more appropriate to call it not the '52-hour workweek system' but the '64+ alpha hour system'."

They urged the government, saying, "Support for workforce supplementation and production process innovation should be provided to companies and workers striving to reduce working hours," and "Fundamental solutions to eradicate unfair practices between primary and subcontractors must be prepared."

The KCTU plans to hold an emergency countermeasure meeting on the 3rd of next month with policy and legal officials from the two major trade union federations to discuss joint response strategies such as filing a 'lawsuit to cancel the Enforcement Rules of the Labor Standards Act' and requesting a 'stay of execution,' and to finalize the schedule for a press conference.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.