Romanian law labor expert advises S. Korea to build work-life balance guaranteed environment

Corneliu Bențe, the President of the National Union of Labor Law Experts [Courtesy of the Korea Certified Public Labor Attorneys Association]

SEOUL -- Corneliu Bente, the president of Romania's national labor law expert union, has urged that South Korean firms should create a work culture that places importance on work-life fit. The president, who is also a labor relations lecturer at Romanian institute "LexAcademy Romania" said low fertility rate will be maintained if citizens are excessively focused on their career.  

Currently, most South Korean employees normally work 40 hours a week and those who worked more than 40 hours should be paid for extra work. Entrepreneurs who force their workers to work more than 52 hours can be punished as the government limits employees to work up to 52 hours a week. 

Despite the law, many employers have not properly paid workers who worked for more than 52 hours, citing that exact calculation of working hours is difficult. According to a survey 1,000 South Korean employees conducted by pollster Embrain Public in April 2023, six out of 10 were not properly paid for working overtime. 50.9 percent of respondents answered they were working overtime. Among overtime workers, 53.2 percent work overtime for less than 6 hours and 33.2 percent for more than 6 hours and less than 12 hours. 13.5 percent said they work for more than 12 hours, which is prohibited by the law.  

The South Korean government unveiled its scheme earlier this year to expand the maximum work hours to 69 from the current 52. While there are some opinions that the 69-hour workweek would improve productivity in various sectors, other argue that it would be only useful for employers.

"I believe that enough free time should be given at work so everyone can recharge themselves," Bențe told Aju Business Daily. He said that strict regulations should be adopted at companies to realize a culture that values work-life balance. 

Asked about Romania's work environment, the president said the country has completely transformed from a socialist country where all citizens had to work under the guidance of their government after joining the European Union (EU). “In Romania, overtime work is strictly maintained through legal measures,” the labor law expert said, adding that workers do not fear their boss when they need to express themselves. European workers are limited to work up to 48 hours a week by the EU labor law.
 

[Courtesy of the Korea Certified Public Labor Attorneys Association]

According to Bențe, such work culture became prevalent due to many Romanians who returned to their home country after gaining work experience from other European nations. "Anyone can freely move around the continent with their EU identification card as there is no employment restrictions," he said. "Those who explored work environments in advanced countries such as Italy are popularizing new company cultures in Romania."

Bențe thinks low fertility rate is a one of the significant threats to the international community. "If people are excessively career-oriented, they will get married late and give birth and an advanced age," the expert expressed his concern, saying that such phenomenon would decrease the number of young workers in the future. 

The Romanian scholar hopes to cooperate with the international labor lawyers to come up with more effective methods for Romania’s work environment including remote working. He has visited South Korea to attend a forum designed to celebrate 70th anniversary of labor law in the country. The event organized by the Korea Certified Public Labor Attorneys Association presented various opinions regarding labor disputes. The forum was also participated by experts from Labor experts from Italy, Japan, Spain, and Canada.