Korea Confederation of Trade Unions Strongly Opposes Super-Regional Special Zone Act, Sparking Controversy Over 52-Hour Workweek Exemption
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The Korea Confederation of Trade Unions has strongly opposed the Super-Regional Special Zone Act. The labor community is concerned that this bill could weaken the working-hours system.
The core of this bill is to create exemptions to the 52-hour workweek system. The 52-hour workweek system sets the maximum number of hours that can be worked in one week at 52. If the bill is enforced, this standard could be applied differently in certain regions or specific sectors. For this reason, criticism is emerging that the system that protects workers' rest and health could be weakened.
The Korea Confederation of Trade Unions directly expressed its dissatisfaction at a gathering attended by Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. The union side criticized the Democratic Party for being unable to decide anything without the judgment of the Blue House (presidential office). This is interpreted as the labor community demanding that the party make its own independent judgment.
This controversy reveals not only the content of the bill but also issues concerning how decisions are made in the political sphere. As discussions on the bill proceed in the National Assembly and the government, attention is focused on how the gap between the positions of the labor community and the political sphere will narrow.
Sources: MBC 뉴스
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