Labour Standards Act (Geunro Kijun Beop)
The Labour Standards Act (Geunro Kijun Beop) is the principal statute governing minimum employment standards in South Korea. Originally enacted in 1997, the Act establishes minimum standards for wages, working hours, rest periods, holidays, and working conditions. It provides protections against unjust dismissal and dismissal restrictions, regulates the employment of young persons and women, and requires written employment contracts. The Act is enforced by the Ministry of Employment and Labour.
Legal area: Law governing the relationship between employers and employees.
Year enacted: 1997
Full text: https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/law_view.do?hseq=south-korea-labour-standards-act
Key Provisions
- Chapter I: Wages (minimum wage, payment, deductions)
- Chapter II: Working hours (40-hour week, overtime, night work)
- Chapter III: Holidays and annual paid leave
- Chapter IV: Safety and health (employer duties, worker protections)
- Chapter V: Young persons and women (special protections)
- Chapter VI: Dismissal and layoff (restrictions, severance pay)
- Chapter VII: Written employment contracts (mandatory, detailed)
Significance
The Labour Standards Act has been progressively strengthened to improve worker protections. The 2018 amendments introduced a 52-hour maximum work week (reduced from 68 hours), reflecting growing concerns about overwork. The Act’s dismissal protections require ‘justifiable cause’ for termination and provide for reinstatement. The mandatory written employment contract requirement has improved transparency in employment relationships. South Korea’s minimum wage has been increased significantly in recent years.