Health care workers who are complaining of ‘burnout’ due to COVID-19 have demanded the introduction of a four-day work week. The positions of the ruling and opposition presidential camps on this were divided.
Today (19th), the health and medical union called the leaders of the 5th ruling and opposition parties and asked them for their position on ▲implementing the 9/2 road agreement such as expansion of public health care ▲implementing a four-day week in the health care sector ▲facilitating early-stage business negotiations, etc. I did.
The union’s particular focus is on the four-day work week. Lee Joo-ho, director of the Institute for Policy Studies, said, “It is a controversial and controversial issue, but it is the key to providing proper medical services to health care workers who are suffering from extreme work.”
He emphasized that the four-day week system is also the most realistic solution to the problem of overworked medical staff.
■ “In favor of introduction” VS “Need to discuss”… Mixed ‘Big 2’
First, the Democratic Party of Korea took a positive stance. “A four-day work week is necessary, and we are in favor of a phased introduction,” he said.
Rep. Lee Soo-jin (proportionate) of the Democratic Party said, “The turnover rate of nurses within one year is 45.4%, which is an astonishing level.” “Health care sector is an industry that has feasibility for pilot project implementation”said.
They argued that long working hours lead to frequent turnover, burnout, and disease, which lowers the quality of medical services and increases the risk of medical accidents.
In particular, lawmaker Lee, who was also a nurse, expressed sympathy, saying, “I have worked in the field for 13 years, so my body remembers how hard and difficult it is to work at night.”
On the other hand people’s power The official position of the presidential campaign was that “we have not considered it as a policy in the relevant field.”
Jang Seong-in, a member of the Health and Biomedical Policy Committee (Professor of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University), “As it is included in the Labor Division, it has not been specifically reviewed as a health care policy.”said.
In other words, there is a discussion about the four-day work week, but it is not possible to express a position right away because it has not been considered whether or not to apply it to specific occupations such as ‘nurse’ first.
Jang Seong-in, professor of preventive medicine at Yonsei University, former health and biomedical policy member of the People’s PowerRep. Jang explained, “After hearing the union announcement, I personally think that it has more to do with health and medical policies.”
■ Justice Party “four days a week”, People’s Party “It’s difficult right now”
Justice Partywas also strongly in favor.
Rep. Eun-ju Lee, head of the public health division of the previous committee, said, “We have been responding to the corona virus based on the sacrifices of health and medical workers.” “In order to properly care for each patient, the four-day week system must be properly implemented.”said.
He also presented a roadmap for the future. Soon, a social promotion headquarters will be formed and discussions will begin, and from 2023, they will conduct a one-and-a-half-year pilot project in the field of life safety, shift system, and workplaces with a large number of women. He announced that he would enter into concrete legislation and step-by-step implementation from 2025.
Rep. Lee further said, “I will vigorously push ahead with a four-day work week for all people.
People’s PartyWhile acknowledging the necessity, he pursued ‘realism’.
Rep. Choi Yeon-sook, who served as the special chairperson of the seniority committee, pointed out, “The four-day workweek requires more manpower, but the nurturing of manpower is subject to the government’s quota control, and there is a big difference of opinion on the supply and demand policy.” He also said, “If the number of working days is reduced, wages may decrease, so careful discussion is necessary.”
but “A pilot project is necessary for the social discussion process.”as, “We will analyze the pros and cons and decide.”said.
He added that even now, some medical institutions are not complying with the quota standards under the Medical Act, and that efforts to strengthen related systems are necessary.
Progressive PartyThey also expressed their support for the introduction.
Former lawmaker Mi-hee Kim, who served as a special adviser for health and medical policies to the senior committee, said, “We will implement a four-day work week, a 32-hour workweek, and guarantee workers’ right to rest, starting with health care institutions.”
“President Jae-yeon Kim announced his candidacy in August of last year and proposed a four-day work week as his representative promise, and he even prepared a plan to raise funds for this.”
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