Presidential Office: "Flexible Working Hours, Direction to Be Set After Listening to Public Opinion of Vulnerable Workers"

Negative Public Opinion Spreading Among MZ Generation
Presidential Office Emphasizes Gathering Opinions for Two Consecutive Days

The Presidential Office stated on the 15th regarding the Ministry of Employment and Labor's plan to reform the working hours system, which centers on a maximum of 69 working hours per week, that "the maximum weekly working hours will be determined after more carefully listening to the opinions of vulnerable workers."

Kim Eun-hye, Chief of Public Relations, said at a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning, "President Yoon Seok-yeol's core labor market policy is the protection of the rights and interests of vulnerable workers such as MZ generation workers, non-unionized workers, and small and medium-sized enterprise workers."

She added, "The policy to flexibilize working hours will allow labor and management to freely negotiate working hours on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis instead of being confined to a weekly unit as before, but the maximum weekly working hours will be determined after more carefully listening to the opinions of vulnerable workers."

Since the core of this reform was mentioned as "expanding the right to choose working hours through free consultation," it is expected that while maintaining the direction of flexibilizing the current 52-hour workweek system, there will be revisions to the part setting the maximum weekly working hours at 69 hours.

President Yoon instructed his aides the day before regarding the working hours reform plan, "During the legislative notice period, carefully listen to the diverse opinions of workers, especially those of the MZ generation, and review points to supplement in the bill content and public communication."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 6th, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced a legislative amendment to the Labor Standards Act that changes the current system allowing workers to work up to 52 hours per week, permitting up to 69 hours during busy periods.

At that time, the government explained, "This is intended to reflect the opinions of the MZ generation so that they can concentrate work when busy and take long vacations when they have free time."

However, the MZ labor union, Saerogochim Workers' Council, publicly opposed on the 9th, stating, "'Expanding the unit for managing extended working hours' contains elements that go against the international community's efforts and historical progress to raise minimum standards for working conditions."

Saerogochim also pointed out, "Despite South Korea having relatively many public holidays, the reason why the average working hours are higher compared to major advanced countries is because the upper limit on extended working hours is high and extended working hours frequently occur in industrial sites," adding, "The intended stabilization expected from the 52-hour workweek system has not been achieved."

The Presidential Office's emphasis on gathering opinions about the 'maximum 69-hour weekly system' for two consecutive days appears to be aimed at preventing the spread of negative public opinion, especially among the youth. Kim's briefing that day was also held suddenly without prior notice.

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