NewKerala.com

Key Points

South Korea's government is pushing to modify labor regulations for semiconductor workers, highlighting the critical nature of the global chip technology race. Ministers argue that current 52-hour work week restrictions are hindering the country's technological competitiveness. The proposed exemption would allow researchers to work extended hours when necessary, particularly as countries like the US, Japan, and China intensify technological competition. This potential policy shift underscores the strategic importance of the semiconductor industry to South Korea's economic growth.

Key Points: Korea Seeks Semiconductor Work Hour Exemption Amid Chip War

  • Korea seeks semiconductor worker exemption from 52-hour work week
  • Global chip competition intensifies technological race
  • Government aims to support strategic tech industry
  • Potential policy changes to enhance semiconductor research
2 min read

S. Korea calls for exemption of semiconductor workers from 52-hour work week

South Korean ministers call for flexible work regulations to boost semiconductor industry competitiveness in global tech race

"The ongoing chip war is a technology war, and a tech war is ultimately a race against time. - Ahn Duk-geun, Industry Minister"

Seoul, March 11

Industry and labour ministers on Tuesday called for an exemption of researchers in the semiconductor industry from South Korea's 52-hour workweek system that prevents them from working extended hours even when needed.

The government has been calling for a revision to the system to allow such workers to put in additional hours when necessary, reports Yonhap news agency.

Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun and Labour Minister Kim Moon-soo made the call during a meeting with officials from the semiconductor industry, including those from leading chipmakers Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc.

"The ongoing chip war is a technology war, and a tech war is ultimately a race against time," Ahn said, referring to the fierce global competition in the chip industry.

"The United States, Japan and Taiwan are fostering their semiconductor ecosystems with their national fortunes at stake, while China has almost caught up with our memory chip technology, which is one of our major growth engines," he added.

"It is deeply concerning that only our semiconductor industry remains hindered by labor hour regulations."

The government and rival parties had been discussing legislating a special bill aimed at exempting semiconductor workers from the country's 52-hour workweek system but failed to reach an agreement.

The government earlier said it will review ways to improve the work hour system for the chip industry.

South Korea's exports increased from a year earlier in the first 10 days of this month on strong demand for shipbuilding and automobiles, data showed.

Outbound shipments reached US$13.87 billion in the March 1-10 period, up 2.9 percent from $13.48 billion tallied over the same period last year, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service

Imports gained 7.3 percent on-year to $15.92 billion during the period, resulting in a trade deficit of $2 billion.

The daily average volume of exports increased 12.3 percent on-year over the cited period, according to the trade agency. The number of working days during this period stood at 5.5, compared with six days last year.

In February, the country's exports increased 1 percent from a year earlier, rebounding from a decrease the previous month.

—IANS

- IANS

Share this article:

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50