A bill has been proposed to make an exception to the 52-hour workweek for research and development (R&D) work in national high-tech strategic industries such as semiconductors, attracting attention. The purpose is to lift the shackles of working hours as global competition for semiconductors intensifies, but there is skepticism that productivity will increase just by extending working hours.
On the 4th, People Power Party lawmaker Ko Dong-jin (pictured), a member of the National Assembly’s Trade, Industry, Energy, Small and Medium Venture Business Committee, proposed a motion to ‘exempt workers from the 52-hour workweek regulation’ for R&D work in national high-tech strategic industries such as semiconductors, displays, bio, and secondary batteries. The Labor Standards Act Amendment Bill was proposed.
The revised bill is for workers engaged in work prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as research and development, among industries in national high-tech strategic industries such as semiconductors, secondary batteries, displays, and bio, pursuant to the ‘Act on Special Measures for Strengthening and Protecting Competitiveness of National High-Tech Strategic Industries’. The time can be determined separately in accordance with the procedures and standards set by the Presidential Decree.
Rep. Go cited overseas cases where there were no restrictions on overtime work hours. The United States has a legal working time of 40 hours per week, but there are no separate restrictions on overtime work hours. In the case of Japan, the ‘highly skilled professional system’ has been implemented since 2019 to ensure that high-income workers engaged in R&D, etc. are not subject to working hour regulations.
Rep. Ko said, “We must take into account the fact that a uniform and standardized working hour system can reduce R&D productivity and make it difficult to respond quickly to the global market environment.” He added, “In order to improve the competitiveness of Korea’s high-tech industries such as semiconductors, “We must ensure work flexibility and create an environment where top talent can work to their heart’s content without being restricted by working hours, and a work system that provides adequate compensation accordingly,” he said.
Reporter Oh Hyun-seung hsoh@segye.com
Source: www.segyebiz.com
