Support Measures for Delivery Workers and Caregivers Ordered by President Moon to Be Announced as Early as the 28th

Government to Announce Measures for Essential Workers as Early as the 28th
Utilizing Existing Contingency Funds and Reserves... Considering Work Environment Improvements Such as Expanding Vacation Days

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Kim Hyunjung and Jang Sehee] Separate support measures for 'essential workers' such as delivery drivers, caregivers, and sanitation workers, whose high-intensity face-to-face contact work is unavoidable despite the COVID-19 pandemic, are expected to be announced as early as the 28th. Following President Moon Jae-in's order to prepare additional measures for workers in certain industries exposed to poor working conditions and infection risks due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation, the government is accelerating related discussions. However, if the government provides income support amid depleted funds, a controversy over 'excessive handouts' is also anticipated.

According to multiple government officials on the 25th, the government plans to discuss 'measures related to essential workers' at the Emergency Economic Central Countermeasures Headquarters meeting scheduled as early as the 28th and then disclose whether additional support will be provided. The support targets under review include delivery drivers, caregivers at hospice specialized hospitals or nursing homes, sanitation workers, and other workers in certain industries whose infection risk and work fatigue have increased due to prolonged face-to-face contact amid the COVID-19 spread. Currently, related measures are being reviewed by relevant ministries including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and Ministry of Environment.

The issue is funding. Since the fourth supplementary budget to respond to the resurgence of COVID-19 has already passed the National Assembly and is in the execution phase, the government plans to utilize existing contingency funds and reserves instead of securing additional funds separately.

As related funds are limited, the government is reportedly reviewing guidelines to improve working conditions applicable on the ground, such as securing shift work and vacation days, in addition to direct financial support. However, specific direct support amounts or the overall budget scale are likely to be disclosed after Chuseok.

This government discussion regarding essential workers follows President Moon's order during the Cabinet meeting on the 22nd. At that time, President Moon directly mentioned workers in healthcare, caregiving, delivery services, sanitation workers, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, construction, and telecommunications, stating, "They are doing indispensable work to protect the lives and safety of the people and maintain our society," and emphasized, "Each government ministry should pay special attention to and take care of essential workers who are most exposed to the risk of COVID-19 infection and are in poor working environments with low wages and unstable employment."

Some argue that considering the limited funding situation, conditions for direct support should be carefully designed by taking into account income impacts by industry to avoid reigniting the ongoing 'excessive handouts' controversy. The employment insurance fund balance, which was around 9 trillion won at the end of 2018, has recently decreased to about 5 trillion won, increasing the likelihood of difficulties in securing long-term funding.

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