Ruling Party and Government: "No Care Gaps for Children of Medical and Quarantine Workers"... Expanding 24-Hour Care

Expansion of 'Idolbom Service' for Doctors, Nurses, and Screening Clinic Workers from March
Usage Fees Supported up to 60-90%

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The childcare service for medical staff working on the front lines of COVID-19 prevention will be expanded. The childcare service is a government-supported service where caregivers visit households with children under 12 years old in dual-income families to take care of the children. Going forward, families of COVID-19 medical staff and quarantine personnel will be able to use the service 24 hours a day at their preferred times without restrictions on hours or days. Additionally, while previously government support covered 0-85% of the service fee depending on income level, these families will receive support ranging from 60% to 90%.

The Democratic Party’s National Crisis Overcoming K-New Deal Committee and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family held a party-government consultation on the 23rd and announced the "Special Support Plan for Childcare Services for COVID-19 Medical and Quarantine Personnel," which includes these measures.

Until now, childcare issues caused by COVID-19 have been raised at medical and quarantine sites.

Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon said on the day, "People I met at medical sites said that their working hours have increased and the burden of work has grown due to the COVID-19 situation, but the most difficult thing is taking care of their children," adding, "We reflected these demands from the field during the budget review at last year’s regular National Assembly session, but it will not be sufficient. Especially, the issue of workforce expansion is serious, and we cannot leave it as it is. It is time to address it head-on."

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Jeong Young-ae said, "It is the government’s natural duty to compensate and resolve difficulties for those who quietly take on unpleasant and difficult tasks when the nation is in trouble," and added, "To protect the health and safety of the people, we will ensure that medical and quarantine workers can work with peace of mind without worrying about childcare by implementing this support plan without any setbacks."

The party and government agreed that from March, among essential medical and quarantine personnel in the field, those who wish to use childcare services due to childcare gaps for children under 12 years old will receive expanded national support, and usage hours will not be restricted on weekends or late at night.

Kim Kwon-young, Director of Family Policy at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, said, "The government support rate for service fees will be provided from a minimum of 60% to a maximum of 90% based on the median income standard, which means that compared to before, the user’s burden will be reduced by up to 60%."

In addition, the usage procedure will be changed to allow faster access. Previously, income verification documents had to be submitted to local governments before using the service, but the procedure will be changed so that users can first use the service and then submit verification documents later for income assessment.

Assembly member Yang Yi-won-young emphasized, "Some misunderstand the childcare service for essential medical workers as a privilege, but this is about expanding national childcare services for children in medical sites where parents cannot guarantee basic time with their children," and added, "I hope this service will be fully implemented and expanded."

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