Home   >   News   >   Korea   >   S. Korea’s employees top global list for annual work hours by 300+

S. Korea’s employees top global list for annual work hours by 300+

February 6, 2015
Employees at the CJ Korea Express' delivery terminal in Seoul are busy sorting packages on Sept, 12, 2013 with Chuseok, Korea's thanksgiving, holidays coming up next week. Chuseok is one of the peak seasons for delivery services as people send gifts to families, friends and clients. The company estimated that its business for this year's holiday increased around 10 percent from a year before. (Yonhap)

Employees at the CJ Korea Express’ delivery terminal in Seoul sorting packages. (Yonhap)

TOKYO (AP) — Work rules vary in generosity from nation to nation. Japan’s rules aren’t tough but its situation is almost unique. Workers don’t take off the days they are entitled to because of a mindset that beatifies long hours.

PAID VACATION DAYS A YEAR

Japan: As many as 20 days, but workers tend not to take them off.

US: None stipulated by overall law and depends on the job contract.

Great Britain: As many as 28 days, on average 20 days.

France: As many as 30 days, on average 25 days.

Germany: 24 days or more for those on jobs for more than six months, on average 20 days.

South Korea: As many as 25 days.

___

AVERAGE WORK HOURS A YEAR

South Korea: 2,163

US: 1,788

Japan: 1,735

Great Britain: 1,669

France: 1,489

Germany: 1,388

___

WORKERS CLOCKING MORE THAN 49 HOURS A WEEK

South Korea: 35.4 percent.

Japan: 21.7 percent.

US: 16.4 percent.

Great Britain: 12.3 percent.

France: 10.8 percent.

Germany: 10.5 percent.

___

REGULATING REST

Europe: For every 24 hours of work, entitled to at least 11 straight hours off work.

Japan: None.

US: None.

South Korea: None.

___

Sources: Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare; International Labour Organization.