Minister of Employment and Labor: "Swift Preparation of Additional Employment Measures for Youth and Women"

Ministry of Employment Holds 'Emergency Employment Measures Review Meeting' on 9th
"Achieved 70% of Direct Jobs and 45% of National Employment Support Program Compared to Q1 Targets"

Minister Lee Jae-gap of the Ministry of Employment and Labor is presiding over an emergency employment measures inspection meeting on the 9th at the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Lee Jae-gap, Minister of Employment and Labor, stated on the 9th, "As the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has left greater scars on youth and women, we will closely monitor the employment situation and swiftly prepare and implement additional measures."

Minister Lee made these remarks at the 'Emergency Employment Measures Review Meeting' on the 9th. The Ministry of Employment and Labor, local offices, and affiliated organizations met for the first time this year. Eight regional employment and labor office chiefs from across the country and heads of major affiliated organizations attended the meeting.

He diagnosed, "Since the labor market shock has typically occurred one to one and a half months after the daily COVID-19 confirmed cases increase, employment decline is expected to continue until this month," adding, "The first quarter of this year could be a crucial turning point determining the possibility of rapid employment recovery."

He continued, "We will mobilize all policy tools to promptly halt the employment decline and ensure a fast and strong employment recovery."

The Ministry of Employment and Labor manages 24.1 trillion won, which is 80% of this year's job budget. They plan to concentrate and rapidly deploy this budget within the first quarter.

By early next month, income stabilization support payments will be provided to special employment workers (teukso), freelancers, and visiting and care workers.

In the first quarter, employment retention support will be provided to 400,000 people (52% of this year's plan), direct job project support to 830,000 people (80%), and the National Employment Support System to 189,000 people (32%), respectively.

The unpaid leave support period will be extended from 180 days to 270 days, and the training allowance will be increased from 116,000 won to 300,000 won.

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