An agreement has been in expanding the application period of the flexible working system... and it's a mixed bag of reactions from organizations representing employers and workers.<br />Ko Roon-hee reports. <br />It's a new move for South Korea to successfully implement the shortened 52-hour cap on weekly working hours.<br /><br />The Economic, Social and Labor Council announced on Tuesday...that representatives from labor, management and government reached an agreement to revise the flexible work hours system. <br />Specific changes include expanding the application period.<br />For companies that can't meet the working hour limit every week, the new change will allow them spread the hours over a period of six-months, up from the current three-months. <br />This is beneficial for businesses with peak seasons that last longer than three months. <br /><br />Korea's business community has welcomed the news.<br />The Korea Employers Federation said it was glad to see a social consensus and believed the move will improve the business environment in the nation.<br /><br />The Korea Federation of SMEs said they are relieved to see the agreement,... but emphasized the importance of taking further steps.<br />The outcome of the discussion will be used by the National Assembly to amend related legislation...and the federation said it's important to move quickly.<br /><br />Other organizations, such as Korea Economic Research Institute, said the agreement is expected to encourage further conversations between labor and management...but added the six-month period is still short compared to other advanced countries.<br /><br />However, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions criticized the agreement...saying it does not include clear measures to protect workers' wages.<br />Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News. <br />
