Return to Work for Industrial Accident Disability, Up to 800,000 KRW Monthly Support for Employers... "Strengthening the Safety Net"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Starting this year, the 'Workplace Return Support Fund' provided to employers when industrial accident workers return to work will be increased to a maximum of 800,000 KRW per month.

Workers with industrial accident disabilities rated 1st to 3rd grade will receive 800,000 KRW, those rated 4th to 9th grade will receive 600,000 KRW, and those rated 10th to 12th grade will receive 450,000 KRW monthly, supported for up to one year.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor recently announced the revised 'Occupational Rehabilitation Benefit Ceiling Amount' with the above details. The Workplace Return Support Fund is a system that supports wages to employers who rehire industrial accident workers with disabilities rated 1st to 12th grade and maintain their employment for more than six months.

The purpose is to compensate employers for the cost burden of hiring disabled workers whose work performance has decreased due to industrial accidents and to promote the return of industrial accident workers to their original workplaces.

The Workplace Return Support Fund was introduced in 2003, but the support level has remained the same since the increase in 2006, leading to criticism that employers feel the benefits are insufficient. Until the end of last year, workers rated 1st to 3rd grade received 600,000 KRW, those rated 4th to 9th grade received 450,000 KRW, and those rated 10th to 12th grade received 300,000 KRW monthly upon return.

Accordingly, considering fairness with similar support systems, the support ceiling was adjusted to allow workers rated 4th to 9th grade to receive support at the level of employment promotion incentives.

Along with this, the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service operate the 'Industrial Accident Support Team,' composed of industrial accident experts, to provide guidance on support systems, customized workplace return, and counseling.

Last year, the Workplace Return Support Fund provided 4.8 billion KRW to employers who returned about 1,500 industrial accident workers to their original workplaces, and the Industrial Accident Support Team conducted 7,364 workplace consultations.

Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jae-gap stated, "The most ideal occupational return for industrial accident workers is to return to their original workplace," adding, "We will strengthen the social safety net further not only by increasing the Workplace Return Support Fund but also by expanding the scope of occupational rehabilitation benefits and providing customized workplace return support."

Applications for the Workplace Return Support Fund can be made by visiting or mailing the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service branch office, and are also available through the 'Online Total Service.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.