S. Korea to see major changes in labor environment in 2nd half of 2019
- 5 years ago
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In the latter half of this year, South Korean companies and workers are seeing some changes in terms of labor law.
That'll includes the 52-hour workweek limit applying to more companies, a broader ban on harassment in the workplace... and a bigger, and longer unemployment benefit.
Yoon Jung-min has the details.
More industries were included in the mandatory 52-hour maximum workweek system from July. 21 industries had originally been granted a one-year grace period, but now all of those industries have to abide by the maximum workweek rule.
Broadcasters, financial services, bus services, accommodation and the postal service,... are among the industries that now can't force employees to work excessive hours.
If they violate the law, they will be first given a chance to fix the violation. If they don't take heed, company owners could potentially face up to two years in prison or be fined up to 17-thousand U.S. dollars.
The law now affects more than one-thousand additional companies and over one-million workers in those industries.
But some are raising doubts about whether these industries can strictly observe the law due to their notoriously long work hours.
Also, from this October, people who have lost their jobs will get a higher unemployment allowance.
According to the revised employment insurance act, the allowance will be raised to 60 percent of the average wage, up from the previous 50 percent. Also, the revision raises the payment period by 30 days. Now, people can receive the allowance for 270 days or around nine months.
In July, a new law came into effect to prevent harassment in the workplace.
If workers use their superior status or power to cause physical or mental suffering to other employees, they can be reported to the company's owners.
Once a case is reported, employers must immediately launch an investigation and take proper action, such as separating victims from perpetrators in the workplace.
If they fail to follow the rule, they may face a prison term of up to three years or be fined by up to 25-thousand dollars.
But some say it could be difficult for employees to report the case if employers are the ones causing the problem,... and they are asking the government to fix the problem.
Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.
In the latter half of this year, South Korean companies and workers are seeing some changes in terms of labor law.
That'll includes the 52-hour workweek limit applying to more companies, a broader ban on harassment in the workplace... and a bigger, and longer unemployment benefit.
Yoon Jung-min has the details.
More industries were included in the mandatory 52-hour maximum workweek system from July. 21 industries had originally been granted a one-year grace period, but now all of those industries have to abide by the maximum workweek rule.
Broadcasters, financial services, bus services, accommodation and the postal service,... are among the industries that now can't force employees to work excessive hours.
If they violate the law, they will be first given a chance to fix the violation. If they don't take heed, company owners could potentially face up to two years in prison or be fined up to 17-thousand U.S. dollars.
The law now affects more than one-thousand additional companies and over one-million workers in those industries.
But some are raising doubts about whether these industries can strictly observe the law due to their notoriously long work hours.
Also, from this October, people who have lost their jobs will get a higher unemployment allowance.
According to the revised employment insurance act, the allowance will be raised to 60 percent of the average wage, up from the previous 50 percent. Also, the revision raises the payment period by 30 days. Now, people can receive the allowance for 270 days or around nine months.
In July, a new law came into effect to prevent harassment in the workplace.
If workers use their superior status or power to cause physical or mental suffering to other employees, they can be reported to the company's owners.
Once a case is reported, employers must immediately launch an investigation and take proper action, such as separating victims from perpetrators in the workplace.
If they fail to follow the rule, they may face a prison term of up to three years or be fined by up to 25-thousand dollars.
But some say it could be difficult for employees to report the case if employers are the ones causing the problem,... and they are asking the government to fix the problem.
Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.