"Working Overnight on Parts Production"... Government Considers Allowing Special Extended Work Hours for Car Parts Companies

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The government is considering allowing special extended working hours for auto parts companies facing increased production burdens due to the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia).

On the 6th, Sung Yoon-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, inspected logistics related to exports to China and visited Busan Bukhang Sinsundae Terminal and Kyungshin Gyeongju Plant consecutively to encourage on-site workers of auto parts companies most affected.

Kyungshin, established in 1974, is the first domestic automotive wiring company operating 16 businesses in 8 countries including China, the United States, and India. It is a company producing wiring harnesses, which correspond to human blood vessels in automobiles, with world-class technology.

At the meeting, Kyungshin requested cooperation from the Chinese government to restart local factories in China to increase the supply of wiring harnesses and proposed allowing special extended working hours due to the increased domestic production burden caused by production gaps in China.

A Kyungshin official appealed, "Employees are spending urgent days producing wiring harnesses overnight and supplying them to finished car manufacturers the next morning, immediately entering automobile production."

Minister Sung responded that he would continue to request the Chinese central and local governments to restart Korean auto parts factories in China through various channels. He also stated that he would actively consult with the Ministry of Employment and Labor to allow special extended working hours for parts companies facing heavy burdens to expand domestic production.

He emphasized, "The finished car industry, parts industry, and government will overcome the difficulties of the automobile industry by preparing in advance for the timely operation of Korean factories in China while ensuring the safety of Chinese people through a 'three-person, one-leg win-win cooperation.'

At the export logistics industry meeting, there was a request to provide emergency funds as delays in handling export and import containers of Korean companies at Chinese ports are expected if the novel coronavirus outbreak prolongs, causing management difficulties for related logistics companies.

Additionally, the logistics industry proposed alleviating the burden on shipping companies by resolving the lack of storage space for domestic waiting cargoes exported to China and exempting additional cargo storage fees.

Minister Sung said, "The government is also reviewing support such as emergency fund loans for logistics companies expected to face management difficulties," adding, "We will closely consult with related ministries and agencies on measures such as utilizing idle land and reducing shipping companies' cost burdens."

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to minimize corporate damage through type-specific responses for companies operating locally in China, companies exporting to China, and material, parts, and equipment companies while operating an emergency response task force (TF) for industry and trade regarding the novel coronavirus.

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