The government will also expand the maximum amount of overtime an employee can take a week to 29 hours, meaning a maximum workweek of 69 hours. South Korea's government argues that the new scheme allows for greater flexibility, and expressed hopes that workers might work fewer hours overall
On Thursday, South Korea’s labor ministry even tried pitching the new rules as a way to support the country’s flagging fertility rate, which at 0.78 births per woman is the world’s lowest. Ministers suggested that staff might work longer hours one week in exchange for longer holidays elsewhere in the year.
Korean business groups have welcomed the plan, while unions and women’s groups have criticized the proposed rules.