New Law to Slash No. of Full-time Union Staff

A new law on unions will greatly cut the work hours for full-time union officials who are paid by their employees, ushering in changes to labor practices.

Under the new law, Hyundai Motor’s union, a branch of the Korean Metal Workers` Union, has to cut the number of its full-time union officials from around 220 to 24 before July.

A government-led committee on working hours for union staff decided on the level of “paid time-off” for full-time union officials through a vote. Under the decision, a business with under 50 workers can allow up to 1,000 hours of paid time-off for union officials.

In addition, 2,000 hours will be allowed for a business employing 50-99 workers; 3,000 hours for those employing 100-199 workers; 4,000 hours for those with 200-299 workers; 5,000 hours for those with 300-499 employees; and 6,000 hours for those with 500-999 workers.

The time-off hours will rise to 10,000 hours for companies employing 1,000-2,999 workers and an additional 4,000 hours for those with 3,000-4,999 employees. Companies with 5,000 to 9,999 employees will be allowed to give 22,000 hours of time-off to union officials, while those with 10,000-14,999 employees can provide 28,000 hours.

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