Semiconductor Association welcomes labor exemptions in 'Super-Regional Special Zones Act' ... expects swift passage

[Financial News] The Korea Semiconductor Industry Association called for the swift passage by the National Assembly of the 'Super-Regional Special Zones Act,' a bill that includes work-hour exemptions for semiconductor R&D personnel.
On the 2nd, the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association said in a statement, "We strongly welcome the inclusion of labor-related exemptions in the 'Special Bill on the Designation and Operation of Super-Regional Strategic Industry Special Zones for Region-Led Growth' (the Super-Regional Special Zones Act), introduced on the 20th of last month."
The Super-Regional Special Zones Act is a bill that brings multiple local governments together into a single broader economic region to foster strategic industries and provide companies operating in the zones with regulatory exemptions and financial, financing, and tax support.
The bill includes work-hour exemptions for R&D professionals, an extension of the settlement period under the selective working hours system, and an extension of the period for which fixed-term workers may be employed.
The association explained that semiconductor R&D involves work becoming concentrated at particular development stages, such as design, verification, and yield improvement, which limits the ability of the current working-hours system to respond flexibly to R&D needs.
The association said, "We have consistently called for improvements to the working-hours system to address difficulties at semiconductor R&D sites," adding, "We believe this bill actively reflects the industry's demands."
It added that it expects the introduction of the exemptions to "improve the continuity and efficiency of R&D through flexible management of working hours for key semiconductor research personnel, and help advance next-generation technology development and secure a technological lead."
It added, "We hope the bill will pass swiftly, with the unique nature of semiconductor R&D and the needs of the industry fully reflected during discussions in the National Assembly."
[email protected] Park Ji-yeon Reporter