According to data released by the Small and Medium Business Administration on Saturday that surveyed 1,132 SMEs during the month of October only 2.4 percent or 27 companies were found to take every Saturday off.

The study showed about 35 percent of the surveyed manufacturers operated during morning hours on Saturdays, 31 percent worked every other Saturday while 28 percent worked full-time.

The survey also found that only 18.8 percent of respondents are reviewing adopting the shortened workhour system earlier than scheduled while the majority of 78 percent said they will stick with the government's plan.

As for the reasons for these companies' lukewarm support to the adoption of the shortened work hours, companies expressed concerns over expected hike in labor costs and a setback in production.

The report indicated the companies are calling on the government to expand manpower support, provide subsidy on labor costs as well as financial support for plant process improvement ahead of the implementation. Arirang TV