End of Guidance Period for the 52-Hour Workweek System in Workplaces with Fewer Than 30 Employees

Provision of an Additional 3-Month Correction Opportunity if Needed

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 26th that it will end the guidance period granted to workplaces with fewer than 30 employees from January last year until the end of this month, following the sunset of the 8-hour additional work system.

The 8-hour additional work system refers to transitional provisions established to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) adapt to the expanded 52-hour workweek system implemented last year. Through this system, SMEs were allowed to have employees work up to 60 hours per week. During the guidance period, the Ministry conducted occasional and regular inspections, and if legal violations were detected, a correction period of up to 9 months (up to 4 months for non-applying companies) was granted.

The Ministry explained, "After granting the guidance period for two years, considering the reports and labor inspections results, the violation rate was not high compared to all workplaces, and most corrections were made within an average of 4 months, so the guidance period has been terminated."

However, "to minimize difficulties for some workplaces due to the end of the guidance period, from January to June next year, local offices will flexibly consider company circumstances during labor inspections or complaint handling processes and provide an additional correction opportunity of up to 3 months if necessary," the Ministry informed.

The Ministry plans to support workplace innovation and win-win consulting to alleviate difficulties faced by companies with fewer than 30 employees and strengthen on-site guidance (consulting) by labor inspectors at local offices. The Ministry stated, "Some small and micro enterprises are experiencing difficulties in managing working hours," and added, "We plan to seek solutions through social dialogue by communicating with the field to resolve these issues."