Gyeonggi-do Significantly Expands Eligibility and Requirements for 'Sick Leave Income Loss Compensation' for Vulnerable Workers

23 Million Won per Person Paid in Local Currency... Including All Foreigners and Overseas Koreans with Foreign Nationality

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Unlike last year, Gyeonggi Province will significantly expand the eligibility and requirements for the 'Sick Leave Income Loss Compensation' support so that vulnerable workers can receive COVID-19 diagnostic tests regardless of symptoms this year.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 27th that this is a measure to further strengthen livelihood measures for vulnerable workers and the quarantine network to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The support targets vulnerable workers in the province, including part-time workers working less than 40 hours a week who have taken a COVID-19 diagnostic test since December 25 last year and self-isolated until the results were notified, daily workers, special-type workers, and caregivers.

The scope of support for foreigners will also be expanded. Last year, support was limited to permanent residents and marriage immigrants, but this year, all registered foreigners residing in the province are eligible, including foreign nationals of Korean descent who have had an address in Gyeonggi Province for a certain period.

The 'Sick Leave Income Loss Compensation' is 230,000 KRW per person and is paid in the form of local currency or prepaid cards after document screening. However, applications can only be made after receiving a diagnostic test through a public health center or screening clinic and obtaining a negative result.

From the 1st of next month until December 10 this year, applications along with essential documents such as qualification verification can be submitted via email, mail, or in person through the city or county of residence.

The 'Sick Leave Income Loss Compensation for Vulnerable Workers' is a labor quarantine measure promoted by Gyeonggi Province since last year, aimed at enabling vulnerable workers to quickly get tested and close the blind spots in the quarantine network.

Kim Gyu-sik, Director of the Labor Bureau of the province, pointed out, "Even though testing is free under social distancing level 2 or higher, vulnerable workers such as daily workers, whose daily wage is their livelihood, often cannot readily get tested and have to go to work."

Earlier, Governor Lee Jae-myung also stated on his social media in June last year, "The reality for them is a life where they cannot rest even when sick, a job they cannot give up even if it is dangerous, and they have to work two or three jobs instead of stopping that work," adding, "While proactive and bold quarantine is important, we will carefully take care of the most vulnerable people and places together with the 31 cities and counties."

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