South Korea Proposing a 69-Hour Work Week

GG57 on 14/03/2023 - 16:38

Following on from this discussion: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/758790

ABC is reporting that South Korea's government is seeking to pass reforms that would allow employees to work up to 69 hours a week.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-14/south-korea-69-hour-w…

I found the reasoning surprising; the proposal is to address concerns over the country's falling birth rate. Apparently workers would be able to accrue overtime and use it later when they want to take time off for child-raising.

My observations from working for a couple of weeks in Seoul was that not a lot of work happened in the office environment I was in (compared to working for the same company in Australia). Not relaxed as such, but not a lot of output.

Education & Work

Comments

  • MakkhiChoos on 16/03/2023 - 18:12
    +1

    69 hours is a good number for a fortnight.
    8 x 8.7hr days.

  • SlartiBartFozz on 16/03/2023 - 21:38

    This will drive a monumental exodus of young workers to foreign countries (the only limit being age for overseas working permits).
    Blue House better mandate Samsung/LG assemble an army of robots to care for their aging population.

  • siresteelhell on 17/03/2023 - 09:14

    laughs from workplace while doing 72hrs every other week in Australia.. we have no caps here.. what`s the issue?>

    • Cluster on 17/03/2023 - 12:43
      +1

      72 hours a week. Now consider that your average Seoul resident would need to travel 1 hour each way to work.

      72 hour week = 12 hours per day, 6 days a week. Add 2 hours to that. 14 hours per day. If a person is trying to maintain a healthy sleeping pattern (many in Seoul do not), that leaves 2 to 3 hours per day to eat, wash, take care of the family, and relaxation.

      Talk about living to work, not working to live.

  • lostgoat on 17/03/2023 - 12:48

    Didn't the Treasurer say we are like over 20% more unproductive than the US and we need to get off our asses to catch up with em ?

    • GG57 on 17/03/2023 - 14:00

      He was referring to a report from the "Productivity Commission", and noted that not everything in the report would be instigated.

      • lostgoat on 17/03/2023 - 16:28

        I'm curious how much of their more advance technology has to do with it ? I guess if that report has businesses that are similar without that advantage . Would give you a good guide .

  • Flowerbomb on 19/03/2023 - 12:53
    +1

    This comparison makes my 35 hour office job much better. I still do think more companies and government agencies should participate in the 4 day week or 9 day fortnight.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/03/2023 - 11:13

    Still can't afford shit. The verdict is out.
    You feed the vampire your blood, the more blood you will need to satisfy it the next day.

  • kiwiyonip on 25/03/2023 - 10:42
    +1

    Funny SK increasing work times, but here at Oxfam they've reduced work days to 4, wish all Aussie companies will follow suit.

  • umoddbro on 29/05/2023 - 21:40

    When I worked in Hong Kong I was always the first one to leave the office, it was so weird and I felt kind of guilty but then again I wasn't working there permanent I was just sent there for 6 months by my company. Could never imagine doing the hours that they do, I would be so depressed.

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