What changes are being considered in Korea's mega cluster bill for semiconductor workers?

The government is considering exemptions from the 52-hour workweek limit for managers and researchers in the top 3 percent of income earners, along with exemptions from overtime, night and holiday work allowances. It is also considering a longer basis period for selective working hours in special mega clusters.

Why did Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon propose a one-point social dialogue?

He said the special exemptions under discussion are a path Korean society has yet to take. He wants labor and management to discuss not only special labor provisions but also ways to protect workers’ health and improve corporate productivity.

How have Korea's major labor unions reacted to the mega cluster labor plan?

The nation’s two major umbrella labor unions have strongly condemned the move to relax the 52-hour workweek rule as an anti-labor policy. They have vowed to block the proposed special law.

Labor minister proposes social dialogue over mega cluster bill

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Summary

Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon proposed a one-point social dialogue in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss contentious labor provisions in a planned mega cluster bill. The bill may relax the 52-hour workweek rule in mega-scale semiconductor clusters and exempt some managers and researchers in the top 3 percent of income earners from overtime, night and holiday allowances. It is expected by the end of this month and would also cover regulatory exemptions, financing and infrastructure support. Two major umbrella labor unions have vowed to block the plan.

Key Facts

The 52-hour workweek law was introduced in 2018 to prevent overwork.
The government is considering extending the basis period for the selective working hour system from one month to six months in special mega clusters.
Kim said the proposed social dialogue would cover both special labor provisions and proposals from labor and management to protect workers’ health and enhance corporate productivity.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 15, 2026 1:20 pm KST

Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon speaks in a press conference at the Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon on Tuesday proposed a "one-point social dialogue" to discuss contentious issues surrounding an envisioned special bill that would significantly relax labor regulations, including the 52-hour workweek limit, in mega-scale semiconductor clusters.

The government aims to introduce the so-called mega cluster bill by the end of this month, which may include a plan to exempt managers and researchers in the top 3 percent of income earners from the 52-hour workweek limit, as well as overtime, night and holiday work allowances. The nation's 52-hour workweek law was introduced in 2018 to prevent overwork.

In addition, the government is considering extending the basis period for the selective working hour system from the current one month to six months in the special mega clusters. The selective working hour system is designed to allow employees to work intensively during a specific period, as long as their total working hours over the basis period do not exceed the limit.

But the nation's two major umbrella labor unions have strongly condemned the government's move to relax the 52-hour workweek rule as an anti-labor policy and vowed to block the proposed special law.

Kim held a press conference at the Seoul government complex to propose the single-issue social dialogue, saying that the special exemptions currently being discussed as part of the mega cluster bill represent a path that Korean society has yet to take.

The minister said the bill will also include comprehensive regulatory exemptions and policy support covering fiscal measures, financing and infrastructure development.

"We're discussing labor provisions applicable only within the special mega cluster zones. They are a core element of the bill, given that healthy labor is the driving force behind corporate value creation and our society's progress toward sustainable growth," Kim said.

The minister then stressed that the proposed social dialogue will cover not only special labor provisions but also any proposals made by labor and management aimed at protecting workers' health and enhancing corporate productivity.

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