Labor ministry proposes rules on childcare hours and workplace harassment fines

The labor ministry said it was proposing rules requiring employers to notify workers seeking reduced hours during childcare by a new deadline under an amended employment law.

The proposal follows an amendment to the Equal Employment Opportunity and Work-Family Balance Assistance Act that the National Assembly approved on April 23. The ministry said the decree revisions would update provisions that cite the amended law and facilitate its implementation.

Under the amended law, fines for violations of the workplace sexual harassment ban extend beyond employers to corporate representatives and relatives of employers or corporate representatives who work as supervisors or employees. The draft would define the scope of relatives covered by the penalties.

Proposed Article 15 would set the employer notification duty and deadline for childcare-related reduced-hours requests. Proposed Article 22 would set the scope of relatives covered by fines, while proposed Article 22-2 and an attached table would revise standards on who can be fined and the fine amounts.

The ministry said it would prepare subordinate regulations and promote their adoption in workplaces.

The ministry issued the legislative notice under Article 41 of the Administrative Procedures Act. It invited views through Sept. 21. Institutions, groups and individuals may submit them online through the National Participation Legislative Center or send written opinions to the labor minister. Submissions should state whether the sender supports or opposes the proposal, reasons for opposition, and the sender's name, address and telephone number.