Supplementary Measure for the 52-Hour Workweek... Special Extended Work Hours Expanded to 150 Days per Year

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] To alleviate the manpower shortage in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) caused by the introduction of the 52-hour workweek system, the government has decided to extend the approval period for 'special extended work' from 90 days to 150 days per year.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that starting from the 26th, companies applying within this year will be allowed to extend the special work period from 90 days to 150 days. Special work is a system that allows employees to work beyond the 52-hour limit with the consent of the worker and approval from the Minister of Employment and Labor in cases of special circumstances such as disasters, protection of human life, handling unexpected situations, sudden increase in workload, and research and development (R&D). In principle, when special work is used for handling unexpected situations or sudden workload increases, it is limited to within 4 weeks per instance and 90 days per year. To receive approval for special work exceeding 90 days, companies must submit measures to reduce working hours such as hiring new personnel or expanding facilities to the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

The reason for this decision by the Ministry of Employment and Labor is the recent sharp increase in the number of special work approvals. According to the ministry, the number of approvals has noticeably increased from 204 cases in 2018, 906 cases in 2019, 4,204 cases last year, to 4,380 cases from January to September this year. It is expected that the number of approvals will increase further after extending the special work allowance period to 150 days.

According to the ministry, many IT and R&D companies have been operating under a selective work system or reducing working hours. Among root companies, there have been cases of introducing flexible work systems or automating facilities. Considering these cases, the ministry expects that the extension of special work will not lead to an increase in companies abusing the system or undermining the purpose of the 52-hour workweek system. Rather, it is anticipated to provide some flexibility to companies that must secure labor flexibility due to business impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Park Jongpil, head of the Labor Inspection Policy Division at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, said, "For companies facing difficulties in fields such as information technology (IT), research and development, root industries, and shipbuilding, we will assist them by providing examples from other companies. For companies that inevitably need to work more than 52 hours, we will extend the usage period within the scope where special work is not abused, to help overcome COVID-19 and support economic recovery."