Justice Party, "Substitute Holiday Legislation Should Include Workplaces with Fewer Than 5 Employees"

"Some Rest, Some Work... Must We Face Discrimination Even on Days Off?"
If Paid Holidays Cause Legal Conflicts, Amend the Labor Standards Act
Ruling and Opposition Parties Must Guarantee Non-Discriminatory Substitute Holidays

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The Justice Party emphasized that substitute holidays should allow all citizens to rest equally and that the legislation on substitute holidays should also apply to workplaces with fewer than five employees.

On the 21st, the Justice Party issued a statement saying, "The ruling party said it would speed up the passage of the bill so that substitute holidays could be implemented immediately starting from August 15, Liberation Day, but the 3.6 million workers in workplaces with fewer than five employees have been left out," adding, "We must ensure that workers in workplaces with fewer than five employees are not excluded from substitute holidays."

The Justice Party pointed out that the problem lies with the 'Labor Standards Act' and explained that if the bill conflicts due to paid holidays, the Labor Standards Act should be amended.

Senior Spokesperson Lee Dong-young criticized, "In the legislation on substitute holidays, workplaces with fewer than 30 employees will be subject to the law starting next year, and workplaces with fewer than five employees are not subject at all," adding, "It is already painful to have the value of life discriminated against, but why should some rest while others work, and why should there be discrimination even on days off?"

Senior Spokesperson Lee said, "Instead of legalizing differentiation based on workplace size, the Labor Standards Act should be amended to prevent discrimination and exclusion in workers' basic labor rights and rights to rest."

He continued, "Regardless of workplace size, all workers should be able to work and rest together, so both ruling and opposition parties should come forward to guarantee substitute holidays without discrimination and exclusion."

Meanwhile, the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee will resume the review of the Substitute Holidays Act at the bill subcommittee on the 22nd. At the subcommittee meeting held on the 17th, the bill was not processed due to unresolved conflicts with the current Labor Standards Act. The Democratic Party of Korea plans to pass the substitute holidays bill during the June National Assembly session and implement it immediately starting from August 15, Liberation Day.