[2020 National Audit] SME 52-Hour Workweek Guidance Period Ends... Enforcement for 'Under 50 Employees' Next Year

Report on the Ministry of Employment and Labor's National Assembly Audit on the 8th

Minister Lee Jae-gap of the Ministry of Employment and Labor [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The guidance period for the 52-hour workweek system for workplaces with 50 to fewer than 300 employees will end at the end of December. From July next year, the 52-hour system will be implemented for workplaces with 5 to fewer than 50 employees. The government plans to ensure a smooth transition of the system through reforms to the flexible working hours system and corporate subsidies.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor stated on the 8th during a national audit report at the National Assembly, "To improve the long working hours culture and secure workers' health rights, the 52-hour workweek system is being implemented in stages according to company size," and added, "We will support the smooth transition of the system."

The 52-hour workweek system was first implemented in July 2018 for large corporations with 300 or more employees and public institutions, and in January this year, it was applied to small and medium-sized workplaces with 50 to fewer than 300 employees. A guidance period (penalty exemption period) of 9 months and 1 year respectively was granted to give employers time to prepare.

From July next year, the 52-hour system will be implemented for micro-enterprises with 5 to fewer than 50 employees. The government plans to stabilize the 52-hour system by linking government subsidies and expert consulting.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor is supporting small and medium-sized enterprises struggling to prepare for the 52-hour system through the 'Working Hours Reduction Field Support Team.' The field support team, composed of labor inspectors, employment center officials, and certified labor attorneys, informs about government support systems and provides consulting.

Regarding the plan to expand the implementation of the 52-hour workweek system, the Ministry stated, "Through the field support team, we will support compliance with the 52-hour system for companies with 50 to 299 employees during the guidance period and encourage advance preparation for companies with 5 to 49 employees." It added, "Based on surveys of preparation status and other factors, we will link government subsidies and expert consulting for companies that wish to participate."

Legislative efforts to revise the flexible working hours system are also underway. The flexible working hours system adjusts working hours according to workload. During peak seasons when work is heavy, working hours are increased, while during off-peak seasons, working hours are reduced, ultimately complying with the statutory working hours.

The amendment expands the flexible working hours unit period from the current maximum of 3 months to 6 months and includes measures to prevent health rights violations and wage reductions.

Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jae-gap said, "We are actively supporting the preparation process at workplaces so that the 52-hour system can be established on the ground," and added, "We ask for interest and support so that difficulties in the field can be resolved through the legislative improvement of the flexible working hours system agreed upon at the Economic, Social and Labor Council last year."

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