Samsung Electronics Finally... Semiconductor R&D Staff Work Up to 64 Hours per Week

First Case of Special Extended Work Approval for Six Months

Samsung Electronics has become the first case to receive government approval for special extended working hours of up to 6 months for semiconductor research and development (R&D) positions.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor on the 10th, the Gyeonggi branch of the Ministry approved Samsung Electronics' special extended work application the day before. Samsung Electronics submitted a semiconductor industry R&D company verification letter and an approval application to the Gyeonggi branch, requesting a 6-month special extended work period for some semiconductor R&D employees.

With the Ministry's approval, Samsung Electronics R&D employees subject to special extended work can work up to 64 hours per week for the first 3 months, and up to 60 hours per week for the following 3 months.

The special extended work approval system allows extended working hours up to 64 hours per week through employee consent and approval by the Minister of Employment and Labor. To strengthen competitiveness in the semiconductor industry, the government expanded the special extended work approval period for semiconductor R&D positions from 3 months to 6 months per approval, and introduced a special provision allowing one additional 6-month extension. Additionally, aside from essential requirements such as health protection measures, the re-examination criteria have been simplified.

However, labor groups including the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions criticized the government’s decision, arguing that it leads to long working hours and that the administrative guidelines constitute a loophole.