Ministry of Employment & Labor, Changes from the Year 2020
1) Extended application of the system of 52-hour maximum working week, and phased implementation of private application of public holidays of government agencies/institutions
Apply up to 52 hours to improve the practice of long working hours
- - July 2018: 300 and more employees (Any industries/business types excluded from special cases shall be applied from July 2019)
- - January 2020: 50~299 employees
- - July 2021: 5~49 employees
Public holidays (except Sundays) of public offices/agencies, such as traditional and national holidays shall be phased to private companies (mandatory paid holidays)
- - January 2020: More than 300 employees → January 2021: 30~299 employees → January 2022: 5~29 employees
Inquiries: Wages and Working Hours Division, Ministry of Employment & Labor (☎ 044-202-7545, 7972)
2) Government grants for continued employment of workers who have reached their retirement age
If a small- and medium-sized company operating the retirement age system has adopted a system* for extending employment for those who have reached the retirement age, KRW 900,000 per worker per quarter shall be provided for two years from the date of its implementation.
- * Continue to employ workers who have reached their retirement age without abolition, extension (more than one year), or change of retirement (age)
The applicant company wishing to apply shall report the introduction plan to the job center and introduce the system to extend employment within three months.
Inquiries: Division for Human Resources Policy in Aged Society, Ministry of Employment & Labor (☎ 044-202-7465)
3) 「The system of shorter working hours such as family care」is phased.
In order to create a work environment with a work/life balance, a system for shorter working hours such as family care is introduced.
In addition to pregnancy and childcare, family care, self-health, retirement preparation, and study are possible
Since 2020, it will be phased according to the company size. The employers who use the system can apply for the ‘Work & Life Balance Job Subsidy’.
- - January 2020 : More than 300 employees → January 2021: 30~299 employees → January 2022: Less than 30 employees
Inquiries: Employment Culture Improvement Division, Ministry of Employment & Labor (☎ 044-202-7502)
4) The Family Care Vacation (Unpaid) has been newly added.
Workers can claim the Family Care Vacation for the purpose of raising children, family diseases, accidents or old age. The Family Care Vacation can be used up to 10 days a year on a daily basis.
- * The sum of Family Care Vacation (up to 10 days) and Family Care Leave of Absence (up to 90 days) cannot exceed 90 days per year.
Expanded the Scope of Family
- - (Current) Parent, spouse, child or spouse's parent → (Amended) Includes grandparent or grandchild
Inquiries: Women Employment Policy Division, Ministry of Employment and Labor (☎ 044-202-7477)
※ Please visit the website of the Ministry of Employment and Labor at(http://www.moel.go.kr) for more policy guidance!