National Assembly Science and ICT Committee Member Han Junho's Data
No Overtime Pay Calculated According to Article 56 of the Labor Standards Act
20 Million Won in Unpaid Wages Over 3 Years
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] It has been revealed that the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), a government-funded research institute, has not paid overtime wages amounting to about 20 million won over the past three years.
According to data received on the 18th from GIST by Han Junho, a member of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, since the revision of Article 56 of the Labor Standards Act in March 2018, the institute has never calculated overtime pay for holidays or other occasions.
According to Article 56 of the Labor Standards Act, workplaces must pay at least 50% of the ordinary wage for work within 8 hours on holidays, 100% of the ordinary wage for work exceeding 8 hours on holidays, and at least 50% of the ordinary wage for night work (work between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the next day).
Representative Han pointed out, "From April 2018, when the Labor Standards Act was revised, until July this year, 16,198 hours of extended work were carried out, and the unpaid wages related to this amount to nearly 20 million won."
In response, President Kim Kiseon said, "I apologize for not being able to revise internal regulations after the Labor Standards Act was amended," and added, "We will promptly conduct a thorough investigation of the unpaid wages and ensure they are paid."
In his inquiry that day, Representative Han emphasized, "Since the research of scientists forms the foundation of the development of science and technology in our country, fair compensation in accordance with the standards set by law must be ensured," calling for thorough management.
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