"Second Employment Stability Support Fund, 500,000 Won Paid Before Chuseok... Prepared to Ensure No Issues with New Applications"

Employment Minister Lee Jae-gap Holds Meeting with Special Employment and Freelancers on 25th
"Recognizing the Need for Employment Safety Net... Expanding Employment Insurance Coverage"
"Next Year, 'National Employment Support System' to Provide Best Employment and Livelihood Support"

Minister Lee Jae-gap of the Ministry of Employment and Labor. / Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Lee Jae-gap, Minister of Employment and Labor, met with special-type workers (teuksoohyeong geunrosangsa, teukgo) and freelancers on the 25th to share government measures such as expanding the employment safety net and pledged to make thorough preparations for the payment of the 2nd emergency employment stabilization subsidy.

On the day, Minister Lee discussed difficulties caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and government support measures with teukgo and freelancers who received the 1st emergency employment stabilization subsidy and are participating in the Employment Success Package at the Seoul Employment Welfare Plus Center.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor paid a total of 1.5 million KRW in emergency employment stabilization subsidies to teukgo and freelancers whose income decreased due to COVID-19 in the first half of this year. According to the ministry, excluding cases under objection procedures or payment errors, the 1st emergency employment stabilization subsidy is expected to be fully paid within this week.

Following the recent approval of the 4th supplementary budget, a 2nd employment stabilization subsidy will be additionally paid to teukgo and freelancers facing difficulties due to the resurgence of COVID-19.

From the 24th to the 29th, an additional 500,000 KRW employment stabilization subsidy will be sequentially provided to 500,000 teukgo and freelancers who received the 1st emergency employment stabilization subsidy. Teukgo and freelancers (200,000 people) who did not receive the 1st subsidy can receive support if their recent income has decreased by 25% compared to before.

Participants in the meeting stated that they are experiencing livelihood difficulties such as a sharp decline in income due to reduced work caused by the recent resurgence of COVID-19.

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

A, a 50-year-old learning materials teacher, experienced a reduction in work from May and was dismissed in July, resulting in loss of income. While using government subsidies for living expenses, A is participating in the Employment Success Package and currently receiving training to become a care worker.

B, a 47-year-old insurance planner, recently faced a situation where income dropped to 20-30% compared to March. Preparing for a job change, B is planning to receive training in video editing or web design considering personal computer skills.

C, a 40-year-old substitute driver whose main profession is a theater actor, is covering income through substitute driving work due to postponed performances caused by COVID-19, but is struggling as there are many times with no calls at all.

Participants expressed that "government support for minimum livelihood is urgently needed" and presented various opinions on government policies such as employment stabilization subsidies and expansion of employment insurance.

Minister Lee said, "We will make every effort to ensure the smooth payment of the 2nd emergency employment stabilization subsidy allocated in the 4th supplementary budget," adding, "An additional 500,000 KRW will be supported to teukgo and freelancers who received the 1st emergency employment stabilization subsidy before Chuseok, and the new application process will be prepared without delay in October."

He said, "Looking at the payment status of the 1st emergency employment stabilization subsidy, insurance planners (87,000 people), substitute drivers (21,000 people), learning materials teachers (20,000 people), and door-to-door salespeople (19,000 people) make up the majority, which made me realize once again the need for an employment safety net for them."

He continued, "We will specifically analyze the payment status of the 1st emergency employment stabilization subsidy in the future to use it as data for designing plans to expand employment insurance coverage, and will continuously support legislation and gather opinions from labor, management, and stakeholders to ensure the Employment Insurance Act is processed swiftly in the regular National Assembly."

He also stated, "We will prepare well for the 'National Employment Support System,' which starts on January 1 next year, to provide employment and livelihood support for low-income job seekers such as unemployed youth, women with career interruptions, and long-term unemployed who do not receive employment insurance benefits."

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