South Korea's Ministry of Labor recently approved an application for special working hours from Samsung Electronics' Semiconductor Systems Division, allowing its R&D personnel to work a maximum of 64 hours per week for the next three months, and then adjust to 60 hours per week for the next three months. Currently, South Korea has amended the Labor Standards Act. High-tech companies certified by the government as “semiconductor R&D companies” can apply for an extension of overtime hours, and also extend the validity period of overtime approval for semiconductor companies to one year. Samsung submitted materials such as the “semiconductor R&D enterprise” certificate certified by the government, and the approval process was completed quickly. According to industry sources, chip manufacturers such as SK Hynix are also preparing similar applications. The South Korean government said the move was to enhance the international competitiveness of the local semiconductor industry, but it has raised concerns among labor groups about overwork.

South Korea's Ministry of Labor recently approved an application for special working hours from Samsung Electronics' Semiconductor Systems Division, allowing its R&D personnel to work a maximum of 64 hours per week for the next three months, and then adjust to 60 hours per week for the next three months. Currently, South Korea has amended the Labor Standards Act. High-tech companies certified by the government as “semiconductor R&D companies” can apply for an extension of overtime hours, and also extend the validity period of overtime approval for semiconductor companies to one year. Samsung submitted materials such as the “semiconductor R&D enterprise” certificate certified by the government, and the approval process was completed quickly. According to industry sources, chip manufacturers such as SK Hynix are also preparing similar applications. The South Korean government said the move was to enhance the international competitiveness of the local semiconductor industry, but it has raised concerns among labor groups about overwork.