Differences Remain Between Parties Over 52-Hour Workweek Exemption Clause
Kim Woni, Opposition Secretary, Says "Will Propose Fast-Track to Party Leadership"
The Semiconductor Special Act failed to pass the National Assembly standing committee subcommittee due to unresolved differences between the ruling and opposition parties regarding the exemption clause for R&D personnel from the 52-hour workweek. The opposition party announced plans to push for a fast-track (expedited agenda) process, proposing to handle even the agreed-upon parts.
On the 8th, the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee held the 1st Industry, Trade, Energy, and Patent Subcommittee meeting to discuss the Semiconductor Special Act, but the bill remained stalled at the subcommittee stage due to lack of agreement.
Kim Won-i, the patent subcommittee chair and opposition party secretary from the Democratic Party of Korea, told reporters immediately after the meeting, "The People Power Party still insists that the Semiconductor Special Act must include the exemption clause for the 52-hour workweek, while the Democratic Party's position is to exclude it and proceed. The discussions ran parallel without convergence."
The People Power Party maintains that the exemption clause for the 52-hour workweek must be included in the Semiconductor Special Act to ensure national competitiveness. Earlier that morning, Kim Sang-hoon, the policy chief, stated, "The semiconductor war is a national total war," adding, "The heads of major semiconductor companies in South Korea have declared an all-out effort and strengthened their resolve."
He continued, "The political sphere must also join the total war with the original Semiconductor Special Act, including the 52-hour workweek system," and expressed hope that "the powerful Democratic Party would not remain stuck in a narrow perspective centered on militant aristocratic labor unions but actively engage in discussions on the original Semiconductor Special Act."
On the other hand, although Democratic Party leader Lee appeared to lead discussions showing some consensus on the 52-hour workweek system, the party maintains that further discussion is necessary considering internal opposition and their labor-supporting voter base.
Since the opposition party wants to handle the agreed parts first, they plan to fast-track the Semiconductor Special Act excluding the 52-hour workweek exemption clause, which failed to pass the subcommittee. Representative Kim said, "Almost all issues except this one have been resolved, so I officially stated that we will strongly request the party leadership to submit it for fast-track consideration," adding, "Since there is no change in the ruling party's stance, this seems to be the only option." Representative Kim plans to officially propose this to the leadership as early as tomorrow.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
