The People Power Party proposed to the Democratic Party of Korea on Thursday that the two sides hold a joint meeting immediately after the national audit concludes to discuss and resolve the question of exempting high-income and research workers from the 52-hour workweek rule.
PPP policy chief Im Yi-ja raised the proposal at a supreme council meeting at the National Assembly, criticizing the Democratic Party for reportedly planning to simultaneously introduce two contradictory bills related to a "super-regional special zone" law. "When in the constitutional history of the Republic of Korea has there ever been such irresponsible fence-sitting legislation?" she said. Im added that a super-regional special zone law stripped of labor exemptions would be "an empty shell — a half-measure with no substance."
Im urged the Democratic Party to stop hiding behind the pretense of deliberation and to take a bold stand on reforming the 52-hour workweek regulation for the sake of South Korea's future advanced industries and balanced regional development. "I propose that we hold a ruling-opposition livelihood policy meeting right after the national audit to settle the issue of easing the 52-hour regulation," she said.
The PPP also announced it would launch three party task forces as soon as the current national audit ends, covering firefighter recognition, relationship-based crimes and parachute appointments.
Im said the party would formally launch a TF to establish recognition befitting firefighters' dedication, a TF to root out dating violence and stalking, and a TF to investigate what she called parachute appointments under the Lee Jae-myung administration that undermine fairness and common sense.
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