Samsung became the first company in South Korea to increase its weekly working time from 52 to 64 hours. The decision covers R&D personnel working at Samsung Foundry, the company’s chip manufacturing unit. This development had a wide repercussion in the technology sector.
Samsung received permission to work 64 hours a week
The Ministry of Labour and Employment branch in Gyeonggi province approved Samsung’s application on 9 April. The new application; It allows employees to work 64 hours a week for the first three months and 60 hours a week for the next three months. Thus, the company will bring continuity and speed to production processes.
The South Korean government enacted a regulation on 14 March that allows companies to exceed the legal weekly working time limit. Under the new law, companies can apply for more overtime.
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Samsung stood out as the first company to use this right. The application made under the regulation only includes R&D employees within Samsung Foundry. With this move, the company wants to gain a competitive advantage against Taiwan-based TSMC, its main competitor in the global chip market.
However, this decision has brought the work culture in South Korea, which is already criticised for its long working hours, back to the agenda. Some circles believe that the increase in workload may have negative effects on employee health and work-life balance.
So what do you think about this issue? Do you think Samsung’s move will give the expected result? You can share your opinions with us in the comments section below.
