August 17 Declared Temporary Holiday... President Moon: "Rest for People Weary from COVID-19" (Update)

Application of the Labor Standards Act to Public Offices and Workplaces with 300 or More Employees... Government "Expecting Expansion to Other Workplaces"

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House on the morning of the 21st. 2020.7.21 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] The government has designated August 17 as a temporary holiday. This decision was made considering that the national holidays Memorial Day (June 6) and Liberation Day (August 15) both fell on weekends, reducing the number of holidays. Additionally, it appears to take into account the effect of stimulating consumption amid the domestic demand contraction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the 21st, President Moon Jae-in held a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House and said, "We want to give the people, exhausted by the prolonged COVID-19 situation, a short but precious rest time," adding, "I hope this will be a small comfort to the people who endure the inconvenience and silently overcome COVID-19." The government deliberated and approved the 'Proposal for Designating Temporary Holidays for Government Offices' containing this content. President Moon urged government officials, "Even if a temporary holiday is designated, please carefully ensure that there is no inconvenience to the daily lives of the people."

However, President Moon added, "Even if a temporary holiday is designated, there are many people around who cannot rest comfortably," and expressed the hope that "this holiday will also be one that does not forget solidarity and consideration for those who must protect quarantine sites, those who must work without holidays, and those who cannot close factory and store doors."

Regarding the parcel delivery industry designating the 14th of next month as 'No Delivery Day' to allow delivery workers to rest, he said, "It is fortunate that delivery workers, who have become busier and have not had the opportunity to rest amid the COVID crisis, can enjoy the right to rest even briefly," and added, "I especially support them and hope it will be a good time for rest."

The Ministry of Personnel Management has taken follow-up measures, such as requesting related ministries to prepare advance measures for government office civil service centers and daycare center operations, following the designation of August 17 as a temporary holiday. According to the Ministry, this temporary holiday applies not only to government offices but also to workplaces employing 300 or more workers on a regular basis under the Labor Standards Act. The government hopes that the purpose of this temporary holiday designation will spread even to workplaces not subject to this standard.

The Ministry of Personnel Management explained the background, saying, "The purpose is to provide a little rest time to the people who are mentally and physically exhausted and to continue the trend of domestic demand recovery."