근로시간 단축의 제도적 논의와 쟁점

Working time is an important working condition that has a direct impact on the health and life of workers. The revised Labor Standards Act has been in force since July 1, 2018 to reduce working hours within the work. The revised Act limits the maximum weekly working time to 52 hours, greatly reduces the number of special businesses excluded from this restriction, and extends the range of paid holidays. The improvement of working time system is expected to contribute to protecting workers' rest and health by reducing actual working hours. The purpose of this paper is to examine the social discussions in the reform process of the working time system, to evaluate the contents of the reforms, and to clarify what are the legal issues resulting from the reduction of working hours. Since the new working time system was created through long-term social dialogue and legislative debate, it is necessary to make a national effort to stabilize the system early. Subsequent discussions on the flexibility of working hours should be in harmony with workers' rest and health and should contribute to the early stabilization of the new working time system. This paper examines the main issues related to the reduction of working hours, focusing on the concept and management of working time, the management of rest break in care services, the improvement of flexible working hours, and the government's complementary measures. It also introduces other issues and challenges. And since this reduction of working hours should be regarded as a starting point rather than an end point for improving the working time system, this article suggests further improvements in the future.