Opposition lawmakers on Wednesday handed in a bill that will ban employers from texting their staff after work hours, amid rising concerns among South Koreans that they are "too connected" to their companies.
The so-called KakaoTalk-bill will ban firms from issuing orders through smartphones after regular work hours in order to protect workers' privacy and their time off. KakaoTalk is South Korea's most popular mobile messenger that is used by more than 37 million in the country with a population of 50 million.
Popular South Korean mobile messenger Kakaotalk.(Yonhap)
Rep. Shin Kyoung-min of the Minjoo Party of Korea said while smartphones have improved the working environment, they also have emerged as a burden by obligating workers to be online at all times, even after work hours.
"All workers have the right to be disconnected from their office after work hours," Shin said, adding the bill is needed to protect workers' privacy. (Yonhap)
