Posted September. 03, 2001 08:09,
A nationwide five day school week will begin in 2005 for grade level, junior high, and high schools. The Labor and Management Mediation Committee communicated its plan for a five day work week for public welfare officials to labor and management at the end of last month. In the plan, they referred to the Ministry of Education official`s decision to implement the five day week in January 2005.
Public welfare officials` five-day work week will begin in the following order, Major businesses will implement the five-day work week in the July of next year for over 1000 public officials, business employees, wage laborers, 300 businessmen will begin the five-day week from July 2003, 50 education officials and businessmen will begin in January 2005, and every businessmen will begin from 2007 – a fourfold implementation plan.
Also, a three-step implementation of a five-day school week was proposed because ``There will be problems for parents taking care of children on Saturday when they have to be at work.``
However, Chang Young Chul, president of Labor and Management Mediation Committee stated, ``The course of action regarding government officials and educators will reflect the views of the municipal administrations, Ministry of Education, and departments concerned first and foremost.`` indicating that the plan may go through changes before the start date.
But both labor and management feel that the plan should begin with public institutions rather than private businesses. The labor side states, ``A five-day school week is absolutely necessary for implementing a five-day work week.`` It seems unlikely that the start date will be pushed beyond 2005.
Moreover, public welfare officials clearly expressed the intention to preserve 18-22 vacation days per year, maintaining current overtime pay, and current pay for maternity leave will remain unchanged.
The Labor and Management Mediation Committee plans to meet on September 5 in order to debate on the public officials` position and will make their final decision before the September 15 deadline.
In case labor and management cannot reach an agreement, the Labor Department is expected to pursue the matter through legislative means.