Lee calls for ’work sharing’ at conglomerates

President Lee Myung-bak instructed his aides Wednesday to encourage conglomerates to cut the working hours of their employees so as to create additional jobs, as the government considers more tightly regulating the work week.

The so-called "work sharing" would not only create jobs, but would also improve the quality of life for existing workers and boost domestic demand, Lee said during a regular meeting with senior presidential secretaries, according to spokesman Park Jeong-ha.

"We need to push ahead in earnest with creating decent jobs by shortening the working hours at conglomerates," Lee was quoted as saying.

Hi remark came as the labor ministry considers tightening regulations on work week.

Currently, the work week cannot exceed 52 hours, but overtime on Saturdays and Sundays is not counted, and many firms have their employees work weekends in excess of the weekly maximum.

The ministry is considering changing the regulation to include weekend work.

Lee also said conglomerates should stay away from small business opportunities, which are a key source of income for working-class people, amid growing criticism big firms are trying to expand recklessly into those markets.

"This is a matter related to corporate ethics," Lee was quoted as saying. (Yonhap)