Special 14-Day Extension of Overtime Work for Semiconductor R&D Implemented

Guidelines Established to Extend Approval Period to Six Months

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that it has established the 'Special Extended Working Hours Approval System Guidelines for Semiconductor Research and Development' and will implement them starting from the 14th. The guidelines were newly created reflecting the decisions made at the National Policy Issues Ministerial Meeting, Economic Ministers Meeting, and Industrial Competitiveness Enhancement Ministers Meeting held on the 12th, and these guidelines apply exclusively to the semiconductor research and development sector.

These guidelines include ▲a special provision expanding the approval period per case to 6 months ▲simplification of re-examination criteria beyond essential requirements (such as health protection measures) ▲to protect health rights, the special provision grants differential approval hours: up to 12 hours per week for the first 3 months, and up to 8 hours per week for the following 3 months ▲mandatory health checkups for companies utilizing the special provision. However, health protection measures will be regulated under the 'Special Extended Working Hours Health Protection Measures Notice' and are planned to be revised promptly.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor stated, "We will guide semiconductor companies to utilize these guidelines through local labor offices, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association,” adding, "we plan to actively supervise to ensure workers’ health is firmly protected and that they receive fair compensation for their work."

Furthermore, they said, "Regarding health protection measures and compensation concerns raised by workers, we will operate a 'Special Extended Working Hours Reporting Center' to allow workers to report suspected violations themselves," and "if violations are confirmed, strict measures will be taken."