The new 52-hour week will apply to small businesses.
South Korea’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Hong Nam Ki, announced Thursday, June 24th, that the government intends to help small and medium-sized businesses switch to the 52-hour week (in the country). For this smooth transition, the government intends to promote the employment of foreign workers. This 52-hour week will apply to companies with 5 to 49 employees (the largest have already been there) from July 1st.
This change and capping of the working week at 52 hours maximum, in one of the 4 most economically powerful countries in Asia, began to be implemented in 2018. Before that date the working week was 68 hours, a little more than 11 hours per day over 6 days, or a little more than 13 hours per day over 5 days.
For comparison, in Switzerland the working time is 45 – 50 hours per week depending on the sector, Turkey and Colombia 47 hours per week, for Mexico it is 45 hours, Denmark 32 hours per week, the Netherlands Low 29 hours per week and in France the working time per week is 35 hours. (last known figures)
This is therefore a new step forward for South Korean workers in small and medium-sized enterprises, a change that must take time to be made so that everyone gets used to this new way of working.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: Yonhap news
