Semiconductor Industry, 52-Hour Workweek Exception Law... Discussion Resumes in December

Processing of the Semiconductor Special Act Unlikely This Month
Discussions on Flexible Working Hours for High-Income Earners Continue

The Subcommittee on Industrial, Trade, and Energy Patents under the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Venture Business Committee (Industry Committee Subcommittee) has decided to further discuss the 'exception clause for the 52-hour workweek' within the Semiconductor Special Act next month. The People Power Party intends to propose the Semiconductor Special Act, including this clause, as a party bill and is determined to see it through. Although there are many 'opposing' members within the Democratic Party, the party plans to continue discussions within the Industry Committee for now.

On the 25th, Go Dong-jin, a member of the People Power Party, and Kim Seong-hwan, a member of the Democratic Party, both belonging to the Industry Committee Subcommittee, stated in a phone call that they "plan to discuss further" regarding the exception clause for the 52-hour workweek. This clause exempts only high-income professionals from the application of the Labor Standards Act and is also referred to as the 'Korean-style white collar exemption.' With the decision to further discuss this clause, the processing schedule for the Semiconductor Special Act is expected to extend beyond this month.

On the afternoon of the 12th, at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Venture Businesses Committee, Chairman Lee Cheol-gyu is approving next year's budget under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Photo by Yonhap News

The Industry Committee Subcommittee began discussions on the Semiconductor Special Act on the 21st. In the first meeting, the bill was named the 'Special Act for Strengthening Semiconductor Industry Competitiveness and Innovative Growth.' Although there has been no consensus on the key contentious clause regarding the exception to the 52-hour workweek, the announcement of additional discussion schedules suggests that the possibility of adding the clause is not entirely ruled out. The chairperson of the National Assembly Industry Committee is Lee Cheol-gyu, a member of the People Power Party.

Representative Go said, "The semiconductor industry has very exceptional characteristics," and added, "The day after the meeting, I told Representative Kim Won, 'Let's discuss this matter once more.'" He also emphasized, "Research and development personnel are a small number of workers earning more than $100,000." Representative Kim also said, "We decided to have further discussions at the next subcommittee meeting," and when asked if the meeting would be scheduled in December, he replied, "It will likely be so."

Kim Won, the subcommittee chairperson, told this publication in a phone interview, "We need to hear from the Ministry of Industry as well, so we welcome discussions anytime," adding, "It is not certain if the schedule will be in December, but additional discussions will take place." However, he also noted, "There is strong opposition within the Democratic Party," and warned, "The Labor Standards Act could be nullified by the special act." In fact, the Democratic Party's Policy Committee has prepared a five-page A4 report opposing the People Power Party's party bill on the Semiconductor Special Act.