Mayoral hopefuls’ pledges on workweek inspire debate
Several Seoul mayoral hopefuls competing for the April 7 by-election have pledged to shorten the workweek to four or 4.5 days per week from the current five.
Although debate is underway about the feasibility of shortening the workweek, it may be on the agenda in the next presidential election, set to be held in March 2022, with the issue increasingly drawing public attention.
Those who support the idea of introducing a four-day workweek system say it has already been introduced at some large companies and in specific sectors, and it is about time for the country to proactively introduce it in this era where work-life balance and quality of life are becoming important.
But those who oppose the idea say it is not yet the time to discuss the matter, when the country is facing an economic setback and many young people are struggling to find jobs. Opponents say how to create more jobs and boost the stagnated economy should be the priorities in the country’s policy planning.
Among those who support the idea of a four-day workweek system is Rep. Cho Jung-hun, leader of the liberal minor opposition party Transition Korea, who is running in the Seoul by-election. Cho took the initiative, saying he is planning to conduct, “a policy experiment of temporarily shortening working hours in some of the public sectors,” before fully introducing the system, if he gets elected mayor of the capital city.
Cho, who has actively promoted the four-day workweek system by hosting related seminars and discussions at the National Assembly, also said that he would encourage private companies to adopt the system through tax incentives, while also providing consulting support.
“The four-day workweek system has already been introduced in some conglomerates and for certain occupations, and this fact shows how some workers are getting more time off than others,” Cho said Tuesday in a radio interview with local broadcaster MBC. “As I understand this policy is not one that can be forcibly pushed by the Seoul mayor, I am planning to provide financial support as incentives for companies hesitating to introduce the four-day working system due to various burdens such as labor costs.”
Another Seoul mayoral hopeful who supports the idea of shortening the workweek is former SMEs and Startups Minister Park Young-sun of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, who is competing with Rep. Woo Sang-ho in the party’s primary for the by-election.