Goh Dongjin: "52-Hour Exemption Should Apply Nationwide, Not Just Honam"...Proposes Semiconductor Special Act Amendment

"If Application Varies by Region, Equity Concerns Will Arise"

An amendment to the Special Act on Semiconductors, which would exempt semiconductor industry research and development (R&D) workers from the 52-hour workweek regulation regardless of their work location, has been proposed in the National Assembly.

Goh Dong-jin, a member of the People Power Party, announced at a press conference at the National Assembly's communication center on the morning of July 31 that he had sponsored the amendment bill.

Gog Dongjin, member of the People Power Party

The purpose of this amendment is to allow R&D personnel and similar workers in the semiconductor industry to be exempt from the 52-hour workweek restriction, regardless of their work location. This exemption is conditional on a written agreement between the company and employees, with additional compensation for extra hours and measures to protect health. Eligibility is determined based on factors such as earned income and work practices.

Goh Dong-jin explained that, given the characteristics of the semiconductor industry, it's necessary to design flexible working hours so that research staff can be intensely focused during certain R&D phases and, once those phases end, be provided with sufficient rest and rewards. He argued that dismantling uniform 52-hour restrictions would facilitate the advancement of the semiconductor industry.

He also criticized the recent government consideration to exclude R&D roles from the 52-hour regulation as part of the development of a semiconductor industrial complex in the southwest region. Goh said, “The Democratic Party of Korea and the Lee Jae-myung administration, which had been consistently opposed to revising the 52-hour workweek, have now completely reversed their position. Because they are now promoting a semiconductor industrial complex in the Honam region, they are considering easing the 52-hour workweek regulation only for that area.”

He added, “If the application of the work hour regulation varies by region for the same semiconductor R&D work, it could undermine fair competition among companies and raise concerns about equity among employees. If the national importance of the semiconductor industry and the nature of the work are the grounds for a work hours exemption, that standard should be applied consistently and uniformly to all semiconductor sectors nationwide.”

He emphasized, “Korea is facing an urgent challenge to close the technology gap with major competitors and establish new competitive advantages in system semiconductors, fabless (semiconductor design), materials, parts, equipment, and advanced packaging. To enable high levels of focus and rapid response at the R&D stage, removing work hour restrictions as soon as possible is essential.”

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