Jeonnam Province, Emergency Support for Transportation Workers Amid COVID-19 Impact

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province has decided to urgently support taxi drivers who have suffered difficulties due to 'COVID-19' with 3.5 billion won of provincial funds.

On the 25th, according to Jeonnam Province, this support was prepared primarily to help stabilize the livelihoods of taxi drivers who have faced difficulties due to decreased income caused by a reduction in the number of passengers.

Separate from the emergency living expenses (300,000 to 500,000 won) provided to vulnerable groups by the province, each taxi driver will receive 500,000 won worth of local love gift certificates.

Jeonnam Province has so far urgently supported the bus and taxi industries with 30,000 masks to overcome the 'COVID-19' crisis, and swiftly executed 13.6 billion won in financial support for deficit routes of bus companies last year.

Also, as the general grant tax from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which is the funding source for this project, has been confirmed, an additional budget of 12.7 billion won will be allocated and paid immediately.

In particular, as 'COVID-19' has prolonged, a separate emergency budget of 275 million won has been allocated to disinfect vehicles and facilities used by the public such as buses, taxis, and terminals, with plans to additionally provide masks, disinfectants, and hand sanitizers within this month.

The province plans to continue supporting special livelihood funds to improve the difficulties of transportation companies and workers such as taxis and buses, and has first requested national government support for this purpose, with plans to pursue a second supplementary budget if necessary.

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province, said, "We have prepared measures to comfort the pain and create hope for transportation workers and residents who are going through difficult times due to COVID-19," and added, "Let us all overcome the current situation, which is equivalent to a wartime situation, together as residents."

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