`Large Companies, Government Officials, Financial Circle to Enforce Five-Day Workweek Beginning in July, 2002`

It is highly possible that a five-day workweek will be enforced to the large companies with more than 1,000 workers, government officials (except government officials in education), and the financial circle beginning in July, 2002.

Chang Young-Chul, the chairperson of the Korea Tripartite Commission (KTC), said yesterday at the press conference that ``we will reach the business, labor and government agreement on a five-day workweek by mid September. A five-day workweek will be enforced to the large companies first. While opinions of the related fields will be respected in case of government officials and the financial circle, there should be no problem in enforcing a five-day workweek.``

A KTC official said, ``With regard to the enforcement time, public committee members agree on either next March or next July. Considering the preparation time, enforcement from next July is highly likely.``

Having considered that the labor circle and the business circle have insisted on enforcement in January 2002 and January 2003 respectively, public committee members have tried to find a compromise proposal.

The concern from the business circle is likely to be considered since it is worried that if a five-day workweek is enforced next March, it may bring confusion into wage and group negotiations which take place mainly in May and June.

A KTC official added that ``Many people insist on earlier enforcement of a five-day workweek in case of the financial circle, in which on-line deposit and payment system is settled, and the government offices, which only require revision of the Presidential decree. However, if large companies enforce a five-day workweek next July, it is not necessary to precede them.``

In case of small and medium size companies, it was reported that they would complete the enforcement of a five-day workweek in the entire category of business by 2007 by establishing at most 5 year grace period depending on the size of company. Meanwhile, the KTC held an extended operating committee meeting yesterday, and decided to submit a report on the labor and business agreement as well as the stance of the public committee in relation to the reduction of working hour to the general meeting, which is to be held on September 5th or 6th.

Chairperson Chang said, ``I agree with the Minister of Labor on the necessity of prompt agreement considering the legislation schedule. As soon as the report is produced, I will try to persuade the people by holding a public hearing in each area, and will draw a final proposal at the high-level working conference in which the chairpersons of the Korea Employers Federation and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions attend.``

Kim Joon-Seok kjs359@donga.com