Cheongsong-gun Implements '4.5-Day Workweek' to Overcome Low Birthrate Issue

On April 30, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongbuk Province held a meeting and signing ceremony for the implementation of a 4.5-day workweek at the first conference room of Cheongsong-gun Office, together with executives and employees from Cheongsong-gun, Cheongsong Culture and Tourism Foundation, Cheongsong Cultural Center, and Cheongsong Sports Council. Following this, after internal discussions, on May 13, a mutual agreement was drafted between heads of institutions and employee representatives.

Cheongsong-gun, which is implementing a 4.5-day workweek system to overcome the low birthrate problem.

According to the agreement, institutions in Cheongsong-gun decided to fully implement the 4.5-day workweek (36 hours per week) for their employees starting in June.

In a social atmosphere where many people quit their jobs or give up childbirth while balancing work, housework, and childcare, and as social consensus on work-life balance has gradually spread after COVID-19, the implementation of the 4.5-day workweek by Cheongsong-gun institutions is expected to help workers restore their daily lives and improve the quality of life for working parents, thereby contributing to overcoming the low birthrate issue.

The institutions piloting the 4.5-day workweek are the Cheongsong Culture and Tourism Foundation, Cheongsong Cultural Center, and Cheongsong Sports Council. They will grant their employees 4 hours of self-development time every Friday afternoon, excluding weeks with holidays such as public holidays, Labor Day, or foundation anniversaries during weekdays to minimize work disruption.

Furthermore, if it becomes impossible to implement or necessary to modify the agreement due to institutional circumstances, it was agreed that the head of the institution and employees will consult and make adjustments accordingly.

Yoon Kyung-hee, the county governor, stated, “In a recent policy survey commissioned by a civic group to address the low birthrate issue, the introduction of an automatic parental leave system and income guarantee during parental leave, along with reduction of working hours, ranked first and second in responses.” She added, “With the implementation of the 4.5-day workweek to reduce working hours, Cheongsong-gun will become a region where workers are happy. This is expected to attract young people with good jobs and provide workers with opportunities to return to their families.”