Gov't to expand 52-hour workweek

The government will implement the 52-hour workweek for all firms that have over 300 employees starting Monday. Bus companies are likely to be hit hardest by the regulation. Korea Times file

By Kim Hyun-bin

Starting today, all firms will need to abide by the government's 52-hour workweek, including bus firms, broadcasting networks, universities and financial institutions that have over 300 employees, which were exempted last year.

Initially, these firms were given a one year grace period, but a revision was made to the Labor Law in March that imposes the same workweek as other firms, starting from July.

Twenty-one types of businesses including the bus firms, restaurants, bars, wholesale and retail outlets were given the grace period as they would have difficulty reducing work hours due to the nature of their businesses. The regulations enforced Monday, will apply to over 1,040 new firms accounting for over 1.06 million workers

Many companies are expected to face difficulties adapting to the regulations as most lack the personnel and funds to operate the 52-hour workweek.

The hardest hit was the bus industry and last month workers at 200 companies nationwide threatened to launch a strike over the reduction in pay they would suffer due to the regulation. They have been urging the government and management to come up with compensation measures before the new workweek takes effect.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor believes that excluding some industries such as bus, broadcast and education companies, most will be able to adapt to the new restriction.