Special Semiconductor Act Without '52-Hour Workweek Exemption' Passes National Assembly Industry Committee

Passed the Committee Plenary Session Through Bipartisan Agreement
Discussion on the 52-Hour Workweek Regulation Transferred to the Relevant Standing Committee

The Special Semiconductor Act, which provides national financial support such as subsidies to semiconductor companies, passed the standing committee in charge-the National Assembly's Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs, and Startups Committee-on December 4. However, the contentious issue of exempting semiconductor R&D personnel from the 52-hour workweek requirement was decided to be referred to the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor Committee.

The Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs, and Startups Committee held a plenary session that afternoon and passed the Special Semiconductor Act with bipartisan agreement. The act aims to foster an innovative ecosystem for the semiconductor industry by designating semiconductor clusters and enabling both the national and local governments to provide financial and administrative support. It also includes provisions to establish and operate a special account for strengthening the competitiveness of the semiconductor industry through 2036.

Yonhap News Agency

The committee decided not to include the exemption from the 52-hour workweek for research and development (R&D) personnel, which had been a major point of contention between the parties. Instead, an additional opinion was attached, stating that "the necessity of special provisions for working hours will be continuously discussed by the relevant standing committee." Kim Woni, the Democratic Party member serving as the ruling party secretary of the committee, said, "Once the issue is referred to the relevant standing committee, the Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor Committee will take the lead, but the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs, and Startups Committee will also continue discussions in consideration of the unique characteristics of the semiconductor industry."

While both parties have agreed on the necessity of the Special Semiconductor Act, they remained at an impasse over the exemption from the 52-hour workweek. The Democratic Party considered designating the special act, excluding the exemption clause, as a fast-track (expedited bill), but ultimately continued bipartisan negotiations due to concerns over passing the bill independently. The People Power Party also stepped back, acknowledging the reality that there would be no way to block the bill if the Democratic Party pushed it through unilaterally.

Lee Cheolgyu, the People Power Party lawmaker who chairs the committee, said, "It is regrettable that the industry's request to ease the 52-hour workweek was not reflected in the bill," but added, "The bipartisan agreement was based on a consensus that extraordinary measures are needed for the semiconductor industry to remain competitive globally."

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Eonju said, "We also agree on the need to discuss special provisions for working hours for advanced R&D personnel," and added, "As this was included as an additional opinion, we will continue the discussions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.