Major Trade Unions Urge Withdrawal of Working Hours Reform Plan... "Need to Reconsider from the Beginning"

by Yoo Byeongdon

Published 12 Apr.2023 10:51(KST)

On the 12th, the two major labor unions once again called for the government to scrap its working hours system reform plan, which has been embroiled in controversy over 'long working hours.'

The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a press conference at the FKTU conference room in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "The reform plan has not gained public consent and infringes on workers' lives and safety," and urged "an apology for the deterioration of the working hours system, its withdrawal, and a re-discussion from the starting point."

On the 6th, the FKTU and KCTU also called for the scrapping of the reform plan after Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jeong-sik did not respond to requests for a public debate on the working hours system reform.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The KCTU argued that the reform plan harms workers' right to life and health.

According to the Korea Labor Institute, the industrial accident rate is nearly 4.8 times higher when working hours exceed 52 hours per week (0.484%) compared to when they are under 40 hours per week (0.101%).

Jung Ki-ho, head of the KCTU Legal Center, emphasized, "It is a violation of the state's duty to protect fundamental rights for the state itself to enact laws that push workers into long working hours," adding, "Workers should not be used as tools or means for profit generation."

The FKTU also pointed out problems with the partial worker representative system and the working hours savings account system included in the reform plan.

Yoo Jeong-yeop, head of the FKTU Policy Headquarters, said, "In workplaces without most unions, there has been a serious issue of employers unilaterally designating worker representatives," adding, "There is a high possibility that changes in working conditions will rapidly occur on the ground."

He continued, "The government promotes that long-term vacations like 'Jeju one-month living' will become possible, but many workers cannot even use their existing leave," adding, "There is a high possibility of being forced to take leave at unwanted times, which will lead to wage losses."

However, the two major labor unions did not present specific alternatives on how to revise the working hours system.

Lee Jeong-hee, head of the KCTU Policy Office, said, "Although it has not been specified how many hours should be reduced, the political sphere is discussing a 4.5-day workweek and a 4-day workweek," adding, "Since the 40-hour workweek system was established over 20 years ago, there needs to be a social discussion on how to reduce working hours."

Meanwhile, the two major labor unions plan to submit their opinions on the reform plan to the government by the 17th, when the legislative notice period ends.

If the government does not scrap the reform plan, they intend to start full-scale protests demanding the withdrawal of labor policies from the nationwide workers' rally on Labor Day (May 1).