How 52-hour working week system changed S. Koreans' lives since July 1st
- 6 years ago
It's been one month since the South Korean government started enforcing a law limiting the work week to 52 hours.
It used to be 68.
It doesn't apply to all companies yet -- only those, public and private, with 300 or more employees.
There are a lot of opinions about what effect, if any that it's had both on businesses and their employees.
Our Ko Roon-hee takes a closer look.
Here at a large cable manufacturing company in Anyang, south of Seoul, employees get ready to leave work every day at 5:20 p.m.
In big companies, some employees like Lee Seoung-o are making the most of the 52-hour working week.
"Now that I have more time, I looked for new activities I can do after work.
Recently, I became interested in table tennis."
The biggest change for people who work at big firms is a better work-life balance.
This has also helped leisure businesses... which are benefiting from an increase of customers.
"I've seen more office workers coming in after work since July. I think it's because they can leave work earlier. I've seen four to five new people coming in to play per week."
Although the new system might have helped big companies and their workers... its quite a different story for smaller firms.
"Many think companies with fewer than 300 people are not affected by the reduced working hours, but small and medium sized businesses say they face their own hardships."
"Many large companies use small businesses as subcontractors. So SMEs are directly affected. For instance, some small businesses experienced a decrease in workload due to fewer orders in July. I think this is because many big companies are reluctant to jump into new industries after the reduced working hours."
Meanwhile, for small businesses preparing to implement the new work system in the coming years... a professor of sociology says the government's role is crucial.
"For small and medium sized businesses, it is difficult to keep track of when their employees show up or leave work. The government should provide consulting or funding in regards to this system."
Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News.
It used to be 68.
It doesn't apply to all companies yet -- only those, public and private, with 300 or more employees.
There are a lot of opinions about what effect, if any that it's had both on businesses and their employees.
Our Ko Roon-hee takes a closer look.
Here at a large cable manufacturing company in Anyang, south of Seoul, employees get ready to leave work every day at 5:20 p.m.
In big companies, some employees like Lee Seoung-o are making the most of the 52-hour working week.
"Now that I have more time, I looked for new activities I can do after work.
Recently, I became interested in table tennis."
The biggest change for people who work at big firms is a better work-life balance.
This has also helped leisure businesses... which are benefiting from an increase of customers.
"I've seen more office workers coming in after work since July. I think it's because they can leave work earlier. I've seen four to five new people coming in to play per week."
Although the new system might have helped big companies and their workers... its quite a different story for smaller firms.
"Many think companies with fewer than 300 people are not affected by the reduced working hours, but small and medium sized businesses say they face their own hardships."
"Many large companies use small businesses as subcontractors. So SMEs are directly affected. For instance, some small businesses experienced a decrease in workload due to fewer orders in July. I think this is because many big companies are reluctant to jump into new industries after the reduced working hours."
Meanwhile, for small businesses preparing to implement the new work system in the coming years... a professor of sociology says the government's role is crucial.
"For small and medium sized businesses, it is difficult to keep track of when their employees show up or leave work. The government should provide consulting or funding in regards to this system."
Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News.