Major Accident Prevention Act for Fewer Than 50 Workers Fails to Pass National Assembly... Government Urges "Swift Processing"

On the 5th, at the 2024 Labor-Management-Government New Year's Meeting held at Seoul Central Post Office, Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, is delivering a greeting. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

The government urged the National Assembly to promptly pass the amendment bill after the failure to approve the two-year additional grace period for companies with fewer than 50 employees under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act during the plenary session on the 9th, calling it "ignoring the practical difficulties of small and medium-sized enterprises."

On the same day, the government issued a joint statement from related ministries, stating, "Most companies with fewer than 50 employees are small businesses where the owner is responsible for all aspects of management," and emphasized, "They are appealing for a grace period, fearing not only business closure but also worker harm due to job reductions if the owner is punished for serious accidents."

It further urged, "(The National Assembly) to fully consider the urgent appeals from the field and earnestly request active discussions on the amendment bill and swift legislative action before the full enforcement date of the law on the 27th of this month."

Enacted in January 2021, the Serious Accidents Punishment Act stipulates criminal penalties for business owners when workers suffer death or serious injury due to non-compliance with safety and health management systems at workplaces. From the 27th, it will also apply to companies with fewer than 50 employees.