Integrated Union Time-Choice Division 3rd Launch... "Criticism of the Reality of Time-Choice Hired Public Officials Who Cannot Choose Working Hours"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The National Integrated Public Officials Labor Union Time-Choice Headquarters (Head Jung Sung-hye, photo) announced on the 15th that since the government introduced the time-choice system for general public officials in 2013, allowing them to work only the hours they desire, it has made efforts to improve many discriminatory systems.

The 1st and 2nd terms pushed for improvements in the treatment of time-choice recruited public officials (hereinafter referred to as ‘time-choice recruited public officials’) by advocating for ▲application of public official pensions ▲expansion of working hours up to a maximum of 35 hours per week through amendments to the Public Officials Appointment Decree ▲shortening of the period for seniority promotion ▲integration of the quota with full-time public officials.

Regarding the launch of the 3rd Time-Choice Headquarters on June 16, they criticized that “even after 8 years since the introduction of time-choice recruited public officials, they are recorded as fractional personnel, and unlike other time-choice public officials, they do not have the right to choose their working hours. Contrary to the government’s initial reports, time-choice recruited public officials are not quality jobs but rather poor-quality jobs.”

The Time-Choice Headquarters has repeatedly pointed out that recording time-choice recruited public officials as fractional personnel rather than as one full person in the public official quota table fundamentally conflicts with the dignity of human beings as stated in the Constitution. When inquiring with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, they received no response as to whether the regulations on fractional quotas for time-choice recruited public officials were sufficiently reviewed and enacted in accordance with Article 10 and Article 32, Paragraph 3 of the Constitution.

Also, although the amendment to the Public Officials Appointment Decree in June 2019 allowed working hours to be extended up to 35 hours, even within central administrative agencies or the same affiliated institutions, when time-choice recruited public officials requested an increase or decrease in hours according to workload or personal circumstances under relevant regulations, some were allowed while others were not. This system is operated solely at the discretion of the institution (appointing authority) without consistent standards, which was criticized.

Furthermore, unlike time-choice converted public officials who are granted the right to choose their working hours, time-choice recruited public officials do not have this right, causing discrimination among time-choice public officials.

For example, national officials’ requests to extend to 35 hours per week are ignored, while local officials are forced to choose between 20 or 35 hours, creating a situation where the law and reality differ, causing difficulties for time-choice recruited public officials and necessitating fundamental measures such as system improvements.

“The time-choice right promised by the government at the initial stage of system establishment does not exist in reality.”

In the decision of the National Human Rights Commission’s Discrimination Correction Committee on February 2, it was expressed that “as the number of time-choice recruited public officials exceeding the minimum years required for promotion increases, the Ministry of Personnel Management should closely examine whether this is due to system or operational issues and prepare measures to prevent disadvantages such as promotion.” This indicates that the government’s willingness to improve in the future is important.

Ultimately, the Ministry of Personnel Management and related ministries are urged to conduct a survey on the actual conditions of time-choice recruited public officials as stipulated by law, listen to their opinions, and fundamentally improve the system if there are problems.

Jung Sung-hye, head of the newly launched 3rd Time-Choice Headquarters, stated, “In the 3rd term, together with experts from various fields, we will make multifaceted efforts to fundamentally resolve the fundamental treatment improvements and system and operational issues of time-choice recruited public officials, including the abolition of fractional quotas and guaranteeing the right to choose working hours.”