A convenience store in Seoul (Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 7 (Korea Bizwire) — Convenience store owners are considering imposing extra charges during late night hours in protest of the recent decision to raise the minimum wage next year.
The Korea Franchisee Union, comprised of all franchisees of major convenience store chains, said Wednesday that it has decided to ask convenience store chains to impose extra charges during night hours.
The union has claimed that labor expenses have become too much to handle, saying that it will discuss with convenience store chains to impose extra charges during late-night hours.
Late-night hours, as set by the law, go from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., or 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. The union has asked to impose an extra charge of 5 percent during these hours.
The union also plans to ask convenience store chains to expand unmanned operations during late-night hours and call upon the government to abolish holiday pay.
The discussion on imposing extra charges during late-night hours will be completed by each franchisee union against each convenience store chains.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
