The negotiation between the labor, management and government on the proposed five-day working week made some headway yesterday, although it failed to reach a full compromise.
In a meeting of the three parties held at the Korean Tripartite Commission (KTC) building in Yeoido, representatives of the labor and management stuck to their positions on issues such as the number of paid leaves and flexible working hour system.
Lee Nam-soon, chairman of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, repeated the labor's demand that no ceiling be set on the number of days workers can take off annually. Kim Chang-sung, president of Korea Employers' Federation, insisted the number of paid leaves be adjusted according to international standards.
"At least, the number of paid leaves in Korea should not exceed that of Japan," Kim said.
The meeting, presided by KTC chairman Chang Young-chul, was also attended by Labor Minister Kim Ho-jin, Minister of Finance and Economy Jin Nyum and officials representing the public.
Regarding the flexible working hour system, the labor demanded the cycle of the system be maintained status quo at two weeks, while the management advocated the cycle be expanded to one year.
The two parties, however, reached a consensus on compensating workers for shortened duty hours in return for no wages on Saturdays and Sundays. They also agreed on allowing workers to choose holidays over monetary reward in compensation for overtime.
The labor and management have also narrowed their difference on the timing of the introduction of a five-day working week. The management made a concession to move up the timing of the implementation by six months to the beginning of 2003. The labor still demands the system be introduced starting next year.
The labor and management are also believed to share a similar sentiment about the need for the government to support small- and medium-sized firms with financial subsidies and tax cuts to facilitate the implementation of the shortened working week.
The heads of the labor, management, and government, and the KTC chairman agreed to hold a four-way meeting on Sept 12, on which date they hope to draw out a package settlement.
The labor and management need to reach a compromise around mid-September, the deadline the government has set for an agreement for the related bill to be passed within this year.
"The labor and management have agreed on reducing the legal working hour on the condition of maintaining the current working conditions and made progress on settling the issue of the number of paid leaves. The two parties are also constantly fine-turning details on these issues and others," said Chang Young-chul, KTC chairman. "I have absolute confidence that a labor-management agreement will be reached during this month."