This will be particularly the case as current studies show that most of the accidents occur in the last hours of work, when workers are tired and hence become less careful in handling the machines. Moreover, it may reduce the pressures of work on employees; thereby they will get less stress and enhance their better quality of life. Chances to enjoy time with family, to partake in leisure activities, to participate in social activities, and to get job-related educations will likely increase. Such a system will also help female workers balance their family life with work responsibilities. Furthermore, leisure activities will gain wider .
popularity with the general public, becoming high value added and more .
diversified.
Firms will be encouraged to innovate. In the past, economic competitiveness could be maintained in the global marketplace through reliance on long hours of work. Yet, it is no longer possible today. These days of information and technology era are different from the past. Thus, policies aimed at enhancing the quality of labor are demanded. Therefore, the reduction in working hours will encourage firms to innovate in order to improve the productivity of labor.
Opportunities for job-skills development will be expanded and thereby contribute to enhance the quality of human resources because the reduction in working hours will enable workers to spend part of their increased holidays in developing their job skills. Furthermore, the reduction in working hours may create new employment opportunities and improve unemployment. An experiential study revealed that employment opportunities have grown by 4.7 percent between 1989 and 1991 when legal working hours was reduced from 48 hours to 44. In addition, it is estimated by Korea Labor Institute (KLI) that 680,000 new jobs will be created mainly owing to the reduction in working hours from 44 hours to 40. .
A boost will be offered for industry development.