Workers Angry Over Suspension of Vacation Support Program, Korea Tourism Organization in a Dilemma

Second Business Suspension This Year Due to COVID-19 Spread
Unclear Usage Timing Amid Uncertain Resumption
Tourism Gong "No Plan to Extend Usage Period"

[Asia Economy Reporters Byungdon Yoo, Jeongyun Lee] As social distancing in the Seoul metropolitan area has been raised to Level 2, the worker vacation support program has been temporarily suspended, leading to ongoing dissatisfaction among workers who are unable to benefit from it.

The Korea Tourism Organization temporarily suspended the worker vacation support program starting from midnight on the 24th. This was in response to a request from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The worker vacation support program is a project where workers save 200,000 KRW, their affiliated companies save 100,000 KRW for travel expenses, and the government supports 100,000 KRW. This year, support is provided to 80,000 people.

This is the second temporary suspension this year due to COVID-19. The Korea Tourism Organization had previously suspended the support program from August 30 to October 28. The program was suspended again less than a month after it resumed.

As a result, the timing for workers to use the support funds has become unclear. With more than 300 new confirmed cases occurring daily and the weather getting colder, the possibility of the COVID-19 spread decreasing anytime soon is low.

According to regulations, if the support funds are not fully used by February next year, all unused amounts except for the government’s share (25%) will be refunded. For example, if the remaining saved points after the program ends are 40,000 KRW, 30,000 KRW will be refunded after deducting the government’s share (25%). The combined worker and company contributions (75% of unused saved points) are refunded in bulk to the participating company’s account, and the company then refunds the workers.

However, complaints continue despite these regulations. Some companies impose additional mandatory leave days for employees receiving support funds, among other restrictions, raising dissatisfaction about whether a simple refund is an adequate compensation measure. Office worker Park (33) said, “They say they will process refunds, but it feels unfair that the support funds that were supposed to be mine suddenly disappear,” and added, “Considering the COVID-19 variables this year, shouldn’t the usage period be extended?”

In response, the Korea Tourism Organization stated that there are no plans to extend the period. Kim Seok, head of the Tourism Welfare Center at the Korea Tourism Organization, explained, “Extension will be difficult because it overlaps with next year’s program period,” and added, “We will discuss alternatives such as introducing prepaid vouchers that can be used even after the program ends.”

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