Government Proposes Social Dialogue on Labor Exemptions for Mega Special Zones

The government has officially proposed a social dialogue involving both labor and management regarding labor regulation exemptions under the Mega Special Zone Special Act.

The special act is set to include various regulatory exemptions for cutting-edge industrial hubs such as semiconductors and AI, with labor exemptions emerging as the biggest point of contention.

In particular, the government's consideration of introducing a "white-collar exemption" to lift the 52-hour weekly work cap for high-income managers and R&D workers has drawn continuous backlash from labor circles.

[Voice / Kim Young-hoon, Minister of Employment and Labor: "There are bound to be differences in opinion between companies requesting exemptions and workers raising concerns. This is why labor and management must participate directly and engage in sufficient mutual dialogue."] (Photo: Yonhap News)

While the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) agreed on the necessity of dialogue, it stated that its stance opposing the flexibility of working hours and the extension of fixed-term worker contract periods remains unchanged.

It has already been holding sit-in protests across the country since the 7th against labor exemptions in mega special zones.

On the other hand, Samsung Electronics supports the introduction of the white-collar exemption, stating it helps strengthen R&D competitiveness.

It also requested that the application not be limited to mega special zones, but expanded to related workplaces as well.

SK hynix did not express a specific stance for or against, stating it would follow future legislative environment changes.

Regarding the extension of fixed-term contract periods, Samsung Electronics stated it has no separate position, while SK hynix also maintains that it will follow legislative changes.

The government and the ruling party aim to introduce the bill within this month, and attention is focused on whether labor and management can find common ground through social dialogue.

Reported by Baegun | Video by Cho Choon-dong | Video Editing by Wee Won-yang | Produced by SBS Digital News | Source: Office of Democratic Party Lawmaker Park Hae-chul
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.