Labor minister pledges dialogue with labor over chip cluster bill

Seoul, Aug. 5 (Yonhap) -- Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon announced on Wednesday his intention to engage in discussions with labor unions regarding a proposed special bill aimed at easing labor regulations for a planned semiconductor complex in the southwest Honam region. The bill has faced strong opposition from South Korea's two main labor unions, who argue that it could lead to excessive working hours and poor job quality if approved.

The umbrella unions have expressed concern over the bill's potential to increase workloads and undermine labor standards. Kim, speaking at a press conference, stressed the need for "rational alternative" through dialogue, adding that the labor ministry had briefed ruling Democratic Party lawmakers on the proposed bill, which intends to facilitate the chip cluster project by relaxing labor rules like the weekly work-hour limit.

The chip cluster project, announced in June, involves Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc. committing to invest a combined 800 trillion won (US$561 billion).