Requests for a Realistic Working Hours System and More
The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (Kbiz) announced on the 17th that it held the 'Small and Medium Business Meeting with Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo.'
The meeting, held at the Kbiz building in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, was attended by Kim Ki-moon, chairman of Kbiz, along with Kwon Hyuk-hong, chairman of the Korea Paper Industry Cooperative; Bae Jo-ung, chairman of the Korea Ready-Mixed Concrete Industry Cooperative Federation; Yoon Hak-soo, chairman of the Korea Specialty Contractors Association; Jo In-ho, chairman of the Korea Mechanical Equipment Construction Association; Park Chang-sook, chairwoman of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association; and about 30 representatives from small and medium business organizations, associations, and cooperatives related to SMEs. From the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Minister Kim Moon-soo, Planning and Coordination Office Director Kwon Chang-jun, Employment Service Policy Officer Son Pil-hoon, and about 10 others attended.
The small and medium business representatives at the meeting conveyed 35 difficulties experienced in the field, including ▲establishing a working hours system that fits current realities ▲legislative supplementation of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and expansion of industrial accident prevention support ▲expansion of support for long-term employment of young workers in SMEs ▲alleviation of employer burdens arising from the use of maternity protection and childcare support systems ▲strengthening pre-entry training for foreign workers (E-9), and requested the development of improvement measures.
Kim Ki-moon, chairman of Kbiz, said, "Small and medium businesses are facing great difficulties due to the 52-hour workweek and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act," adding, "It is necessary to allow SMEs to use special extended work hours without difficulty and to improve the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, which is increasing punishments rather than preventive effects."
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