Applications for the 'Work Innovation Incentive Program' Open Until April 27... Outstanding Companies Exempt from Labor Inspections for 3 Years

Support up to 20 million KRW for Work Innovation Infrastructure Construction Costs... Extra Points for Government Support Projects

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korea Labor Foundation announced that from the 31st of this month until the 27th of next month, they will accept applications for participation in the 'Work Innovation Incentive Program' targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies. This system evaluates companies that establish and implement work innovation plans such as reducing working hours and selects outstanding companies. Selected outstanding companies receive various benefits, including exemption from regular labor inspections for three years during the work innovation period.

The purpose of the program is to encourage companies to innovate their work practices independently. In 2019, 122 companies applied, and 45 outstanding companies were selected. Last year, 248 companies applied, and 100 were chosen. Companies can apply for participation in either the 'General Work Innovation' or the 'Remote Work Specialization' category. They can choose one or participate in both.

The general category evaluates quantitative indicators worth 650 points, such as reduction of overtime work, introduction and implementation of flexible work, and activation of annual leave, as well as qualitative indicators worth 350 points. The remote work specialization category is evaluated with 500 points for quantitative indicators such as remote work utilization rate and satisfaction, and 500 points for qualitative indicators such as institutionalization and activation efforts of remote work, and improvements in work methods and culture.

In particular, qualitative evaluations will be strengthened for companies that institutionalize flexible work such as remote work, implement the right to request reduced working hours, and actively adopt information technology (IT) work environments. Additional points are given to companies operating statutory or above work-family balance systems such as automatic parental leave and automatic convertible part-time systems, implementing COVID-19 prevention family care leave and leave, and companies recommended by local employment and labor office heads.

The validity period for outstanding companies is three years. During this period, companies can receive benefits such as exemption from regular labor inspections, support of up to 20 million KRW for establishing work innovation infrastructure, preferential loan interest rates, additional points during military service designated company evaluations, family-friendly and leisure-friendly certifications, and preferential treatment when participating in government support projects such as employment incentive programs and worker vacation support projects.

The second recruitment will take place in May, and the selection of outstanding work innovation companies will be completed in October. Applicants can check application requirements, evaluation criteria, and benefits for outstanding companies on the foundation’s website and apply for participation.

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