"Pregnant Women Going to Work During COVID-19 Feel 'Anxious' as They Can't Even Take Medicine If Infected"

[Source - Cheong Wa Dae National Petition Board]

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] "I was getting on the subway every morning with the thought of enduring just two more months until childbirth, but the COVID-19 situation makes me even more anxious. I commute through Jongno-gu, where confirmed cases have been reported, passing through crowds of tourists on Line 3. Even though it’s hard to breathe due to anxiety, I cannot take off my mask. I sometimes regret not deciding to retire, and I resent the government and the Ministry of Employment and Labor for having no guidelines or recommendations."

This is a post recently uploaded on the Blue House’s public petition board by a pregnant woman. As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads nationwide, she requests the establishment of labor standards for pregnant workers to work from home when an infectious disease crisis alert is issued.

The petitioner, who identified herself as an eight-month pregnant woman, stated, "Currently, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases is not declining but increasing, yet there is a lack of priority protection guidelines for pregnant women with weakened immunity," adding, "In particular, high fever symptoms can cause immediate nerve damage to both the mother and fetus, and no medication can be used if infected with the disease."

In fact, the COVID-19 crisis has increased the difficulties faced by pregnant women. Although the government raised the crisis alert to the highest level, 'serious,' for the first time in 11 years, there are no labor standards laws for pregnant workers, forcing pregnant employees to risk their safety daily during their commute.

Looking at the relevant laws, under Article 74 of the Labor Standards Act, female workers during pregnancy can apply for reduced working hours, switch to easier types of work, and have restrictions on overtime work, but there are no regulations related to working from home. The 'Workplace COVID-19 Response Guidelines' delivered by the Ministry of Employment and Labor to workplaces also did not include recommendations for pregnant women to work from home.

What happens if a pregnant woman is diagnosed with COVID-19? Currently, there is no established standard treatment for COVID-19, but antipyretics, fluids, and oxygen therapy used for many patients are not restricted for pregnant women. The AIDS treatment drug 'Kaletra,' used in COVID-19 treatment, is also the same. However, some antiviral drugs mentioned as COVID-19 treatments have potential side effects for pregnant women, limiting their administration.

The problem is high fever symptoms. Cough and fever are the most significant suspected symptoms of COVID-19, and if a pregnant woman develops a high fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius, it can damage the fetus’s nerves.

The petitioner also urged the expansion of workplaces allowing reduced working hours for pregnant female workers. Currently, under the Labor Standards Act, a two-hour reduction in working hours is mandatory within 12 weeks of pregnancy and after 36 weeks. This means that from 13 to 35 weeks, reduced working hours cannot be used. However, for public officials, it is possible throughout the entire period.

The petitioner pointed out, "The actual stable period during pregnancy is 16 to 18 weeks, and after 36 weeks is about one month before childbirth, when most workers have already applied for leave, making the reduced working hours system practically meaningless," adding, "I wonder if they have consulted obstetrics specialists."

Related bills were proposed last year by Assemblywoman Shin Bora of the Liberty Korea Party and Assemblyman Kim Boo-kyum of the Democratic Party of Korea, such as the 'Healthy Childbirth Three-Package Bill' and the 'Workplace Pregnant Workers’ Commuting Time Adjustment Bill,' but they are currently pending.

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