Gyeonggi Province Grants Special Leave to All Employees in May for Labor Day

Gyeonggi Province will once again grant a special leave to all employees in May this year, following the special directive of Governor Dongyeon Kim, as it did in 2023 and 2024.

This special leave is a measure based on the 'Gyeonggi Province Public Officials Service Ordinance.' According to this ordinance, if a public official works at night or on holidays due to disasters or emergencies, or if they are recognized for outstanding achievements or contributions in provincial administration or job performance, the governor may grant up to three days of special leave.

Taking into account the unique nature of public service, such as handling civil complaints or ongoing issues, Gyeonggi Province has allowed employees who find it difficult to take a full day off to select one day in May to use this special leave.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Dongyeon Kim is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 135th Labor Day commemorative event on April 30. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

Previously, on April 30, at the 135th Labor Day commemorative event held at the Suwon Gyeonggi Comprehensive Labor Welfare Center by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters, Governor Dongyeon Kim stated, "In the past, public officials were not considered workers and therefore could not rest on Labor Day, but since I took office, under my special directive, Gyeonggi Province public officials can each choose the day they most want to take off within May, as long as it does not interfere with their work," adding, "This is because public officials are also workers."

Gyeonggi Province expects that the implementation of this special leave will help boost the morale of public official workers and revitalize local small business districts.

Meanwhile, the 'Act on the Establishment of Labor Day,' enacted in 2016, designates May 1 every year as a paid holiday under the Labor Standards Act. However, the National Public Officials Act, the Local Public Officials Act, and regulations concerning public holidays for government offices do not designate Labor Day as a holiday for public officials.