'Revised Bill Supporting Paid Vaccine Leave Costs for Employers' Passed by the Welfare Committee

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 16th, a bill allowing the government to support employers with vaccine leave expenses to increase vaccination rates passed the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee.

The Welfare Committee held a plenary session that day and approved the amendment to the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. The amendment legally stipulates that paid leave can be granted to those who have received vaccinations, and that the state and local governments may support employers with paid leave expenses if necessary. This is to encourage vaccination among so-called "leave-vulnerable groups" such as self-employed individuals and workers in special employment types. The scope of leave expenses and payments will be determined by presidential decree.

Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said, "While there is agreement on the need to create favorable conditions, financial support from the state or local governments has a significant impact on the budget, so it is necessary to proceed after fully consulting with the fiscal authorities." Previously, the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Disease Control Agency had conveyed to the Welfare Committee that "budget estimation is difficult" and expressed concerns that the legislation might be excessive.

Additionally, the Welfare Committee approved the enactment of the Act on Support for Social Services and the Establishment and Operation of Social Service Centers. The bill includes the basis for establishing and operating Social Service Centers that provide emergency care and support financial consulting for private social service providers. Social Service Centers are currently operating in 11 metropolitan cities and provinces, with three more to be established this year.

An amendment to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, which punishes those who purchase illegally distributed pharmaceuticals, also passed. Currently, only sellers of illegal pharmaceuticals are subject to penalties, and purchasers cannot be sanctioned. Other bills processed include an amendment to the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act to establish shelters for abused disabled children, and an amendment to the Social Security Benefits Act to provide social security-related information to school principals and others to support children in crisis.

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