Korea Air Association Appeals for Extension of Special Employment Category Designation Period and Support

Submission of Proposal to Ministry of Labor for Expansion of Employment Retention Subsidy

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The Korea Aviation Association announced on the 29th that it has submitted a petition to the Ministry of Employment and Labor requesting an extension of the designation period for the special employment support industry (special industry) in the aviation sector and an expansion of the support period for employment retention subsidies.

The aviation industry stated, "Following last year, with the recovery of air travel demand remaining uncertain due to COVID-19, we appeal to extend the designation period of the special industry, which is set to end at the end of March this year, until March next year, and to expand the paid employment retention subsidy support period, currently capped at 180 days annually, to more than 240 days."

The special industry designation is a government system that supports employers and workers in industries where employment conditions are at risk of rapid deterioration. Benefits include employment retention subsidy payments and extensions of deadlines for various social security insurance premium payments. Employment retention subsidies for paid leave and furloughs can be supported for up to 180 days annually.

The aviation industry explained, "The government's designation of the special industry and the employment retention subsidies have been of substantial help in stabilizing the employment and livelihood of approximately 120,000 aviation workers," adding, "Continuous support is necessary to ensure that the effects of past policies are not wasted."

Additionally, the petition also included recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of other support systems under the Ministry of Employment and Labor, such as easing the criteria for vocational training living expense loans, which have been steadily discussed by the Employment Stability Task Force, aside from the special industry designation and employment retention subsidies.

Kim Kwang-ok, General Director of the Korea Aviation Association (Head of the Aviation Industry Employment Stability TF), said, "The aviation industry is making its best efforts to overcome the COVID-19 crisis through shared sacrifices between labor and management and management efficiency, but it is difficult to endure without continuous and systematic government support," adding, "We ask for ongoing interest and support so that the Korean aviation industry can take off again and contribute to the national economy and public welfare."

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