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A survey has revealed that more than half of workers at businesses with fewer than five employees cannot take paid leave on public holidays such as Chuseok. This is more than three times higher than the rate seen at workplaces with 300 or more employees.

According to the civic group Gabjil 119 on the 20th, a survey of 1,000 workers nationwide aged 19 and older conducted by polling agency Global Research from June 1 to 7 showed that 28.8% of respondents said they cannot take paid time off on public holidays, commonly referred to as "red days."

The disparity was pronounced depending on workplace size. Among workers at businesses with fewer than five employees, 55.6% responded that they could not take paid time off. By contrast, the figure stood at 16% at workplaces with 300 or more employees, meaning the proportion of workers without paid holiday coverage at microbusinesses was about 3.5 times higher.

Gabjil 119 pointed out that this gap stems from the fact that paid public holiday provisions under the current Labor Standards Act do not apply to businesses with fewer than five employees. It explained that unless separately stipulated through employment contracts or rules of employment, workers at such microbusinesses are required to report to work normally even on statutory public holidays like Chuseok.

A separate survey of 500 workers at businesses with fewer than five employees yielded similar findings. The proportion of respondents who answered that they "take paid leave" on public holidays was only 55%. Additionally, 24.4% of respondents cited the lack of paid public holiday coverage as the greatest disadvantage they face among various working conditions.

Gabjil 119 argued that the scope of the Labor Standards Act should be expanded to guarantee paid public holidays regardless of workplace size. It also proposed operating an intensive reporting center during traditional holiday seasons and stepping up labor inspections.

Choi Ji-in, an attorney at Gabjil 119, stressed, "Although a worker's right to rest is a fundamental right, current law differentiates whether that right is guaranteed based on workplace size," urging the government to expand the application of the Labor Standards Act to businesses with fewer than five employees and carry out rigorous oversight and supervision.

                                                                                                           Kim Tae-hoon