# South Korean labor policy and reform debates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-labor-policy-and-reform-debates > Updated: 2026-09-02T04:37:59.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. Labor issues in South Korea have centered on competing demands for structural reform. The Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) proposed labor law reforms to increase business flexibility, specifically regarding the Mega Special Zone Act. These proposals seek to exclude profit-linked bonuses and high-level management decisions from collective bargaining, while also advocating for expanded overtime management cycles and ‘white-collar exemptions’ for professionals. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) opposed these measures, claiming they would undermine the 52-hour workweek and prioritize corporate interests. Concurrently, the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) has focused on addressing the gender wage gap, which remains the highest among OECD nations. Labor advocates are calling for the legalization of an ‘Employment Equality Disclosure System’ to increase transparency and better coordination between government ministries to enforce gender-equal labor policies. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-02: South Korean labor unions call for gender equality policy enforcement The Federation of Korean Trade Unions is calling for stronger gender equality policies and the legalization of an employment equality disclosure system to combat South Korea's high gender wage gap. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-labor-unions-call-for-gender-equality-policy-enforcement ### 2026-08-17: Korea Enterprises Federation proposes labor law reforms The Korea Enterprises Federation is seeking labor reforms, including excluding profit-based bonuses from collective bargaining, while unions condemn the moves as an attack on workers' rights. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/korea-enterprises-federation-proposes-labor-law-reforms --- Cite as: South Korean labor policy and reform debates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-labor-policy-and-reform-debates