Following the Substitute Holiday Act and the 52-Hour Workweek Implementation... Opposition Party Pushes "Save Small Businesses" Initiative

Han Mu-kyung, member of the People Power Party [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Junyi Park] Starting from the 1st of next month, the '52-hour workweek system' is scheduled to be applied to all workplaces, but the opposition parties have strongly urged for a postponement of the system's implementation. They argue that with the ongoing COVID-19 situation and the ruling party pushing through the 'Substitute Holiday Act,' difficulties for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be exacerbated.

Members of the People Power Party's SME Committee held a press conference at the National Assembly on the morning of the 24th, stating, "We strongly request the government to postpone the introduction of the 52-hour workweek system for companies with fewer than 50 employees and to provide a grace period along with supplementary measures." In a phone interview, Representative Han Mu-kyung said, "If the Substitute Holiday Act also passes, labor costs will increase significantly, adding to the burden," and added, "A postponement period of at least six months to one year is necessary."

On the same day, Representative Hong Seok-jun of the Environment and Labor Committee also held a press conference, urging the government to postpone the full application of the 52-hour workweek system at least until the COVID-19 situation ends.

The People Power Party has also voiced concerns at the party level. Chief Spokesperson Hwang Bo-seung-hee stated in a commentary last month, "With even the entry of foreign workers becoming difficult, it is obvious that the implementation of the 52-hour workweek system will worsen the manpower shortage for small businesses."

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