Ministry of Employment Certifies 74 New Social Enterprises... Creating 55,000 Jobs

Among 2,846 Social Enterprises in Operation
Six Out of Ten Are People with Disabilities or Other Vulnerable Groups

A bag made by the social enterprise 'More Than' using car seats and seat belts from scrapped vehicles. (Photo by Asia Economy DB)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 10th that it held the first Social Enterprise Promotion Committee meeting of the year and newly certified 74 institutions as social enterprises. As a result, approximately 55,000 people will work at a total of 2,846 social enterprises.

The number of workers employed by these social enterprises is 55,252. Among them, 33,435 (60.5%) are workers from vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, and low-income individuals.

Employment Status of Certified Social Enterprises. (Data from the Ministry of Employment and Labor)

Among the 74 newly added institutions, more than half, 42 (56.7%), are job-providing enterprises. The main goal of job-providing enterprises is to employ vulnerable groups for at least 30% of their workforce.

Among the social enterprises certified this time, 'Brothers Keeper' operates main businesses such as childcare center environment improvement projects, plant therapy education, and economic education programs.

'More Than,' a company whose products have been worn by the famous idol group BTS and the King of Sweden, manufactures fashion accessories such as bags and wallets by reusing natural leather and seat belts from scrapped cars.

Kim Youngjoong, Director of Employment Policy at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, said, "We will strive to discover opinions and demands from the field so that social enterprises can realize various social values that enrich our society and create a social enterprise ecosystem centered on social value."

Companies or organizations wishing to apply for social enterprise certification can receive consultation at integrated support institutions established in 16 metropolitan local governments. Applications can be submitted through the Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency website.

Status of Social Enterprises. (Data from the Ministry of Employment and Labor)

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