Protecting 'Essential Workers' Amid COVID-19... Enactment of Support Law

'Parental Leave During Pregnancy Allowed' Amendment to the Act on Equal Employment of Men and Women Passed

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Despite the COVID-19 crisis, a foundational law to protect and support essential workers performing face-to-face services critical to maintaining social functions, such as delivery drivers, has been established.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor on the 29th, the National Assembly passed the bill titled "Act on Designation of Essential Work and Protection and Support for Workers Engaged in Such Work" at the plenary session that day.

The bill defines tasks necessary for protecting citizens' lives and maintaining social functions during disasters as "essential work" and specifies the protection and support system for workers engaged in such tasks.

When a disaster occurs, the Ministry of Employment and Labor must designate the scope of essential work and workers and establish protection and support measures. A committee to review these matters must also be established within the ministry.

Local governments may also establish regional committees according to ordinances to prepare support measures for essential workers.

At the plenary session of the National Assembly that day, an amendment to the Act on Gender Equality in Employment was also passed, allowing the use of parental leave during pregnancy.

The amendment enables female workers at risk of miscarriage or stillbirth to use parental leave for up to one year during pregnancy. The amendment will take effect six months after the date of promulgation.

Additionally, other bills under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Employment and Labor passed the National Assembly plenary session, including an amendment to the Labor Standards Act allowing the Labor Relations Commission to order remedies for unfair dismissal of workers whose contracts have expired, and an amendment to the Occupational Safety and Health Act requiring the primary contractor to adjust work if there is concern about fire hazards due to mixed work by subcontracted workers.

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