Medium-sized Enterprise Ombudsman "Proposes Expansion of Safety-related Support Budget for SMEs Subject to Serious Accident Punishment Act"

Small and Medium Business Ombudsman Holds 'S.O.S Talk Chungnam Regional Meeting'

Jubong Park, Small and Medium Business Ombudsman.
[Photo by Asia Economy DB]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Park Ju-bong, Small and Medium Business Ombudsman (vice ministerial level), stated, "We plan to continuously propose to relevant ministries to significantly expand the budget support related to the safety and health management systems of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) so that it can practically help SMEs."

Ombudsman Park, together with Kim Hak-do, President of the Small and Medium Business Corporation (SBC), held the 'S.O.S Talk Chungnam Regional Meeting' at 2 p.m. on the 14th in the large conference room of the SBC Chungnam Regional Headquarters to listen to regulations and difficulties faced by SMEs.

The S.O.S Talk is a meeting to resolve regulations and grievances of SMEs by region. Chungnam is the 13th visited region this year, following Incheon, Chungbuk, Seoul, Gyeonggi, and others. During the meeting, a total of eight cases of on-site difficulties and regulatory improvements were discussed.

Company O, which produces water meters and protective tubes, complained, "We produce eco-label target products, but if the related certification is canceled, it is difficult to get re-certified for the same product." In response, Ombudsman Park introduced, "We have consulted with relevant ministries to allow applications for eco-label target product certification for the same model one year after the cancellation date if the related certification is canceled."

Company D, which manufactures bolts and nuts, said, "With the enactment of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, criminal penalties for business owners have been strengthened in the event of industrial accidents. SMEs face great difficulties in preparation due to the absence of safety organizations, lack of legal knowledge, and insufficient safety budgets, even though the CEO alone decides all tasks such as sales, operating fund procurement, organizational management, and work management," and requested, "Support for costs related to establishing safety and health management systems (ISO45001) for SMEs is necessary."

In response, Ombudsman Park said, "Currently, local governments and technoparks select about 10 companies each year and independently conduct projects to support obtaining ISO45001 certification," adding, "We plan to continuously propose to relevant ministries to significantly expand the budget support related to SMEs' safety and health management systems so that it can practically help SMEs."

Company G, which manufactures semiconductor inspection equipment and related linear motors, argued, "Although SBC has made many efforts to improve convenience in policy fund guidance and application, further improvements are needed so that companies can easily access SBC funds such as facility funds."

Kim Hak-do, President of the Small and Medium Business Corporation.
[Photo by Asia Economy DB]

President Kim Hak-do responded, "This year, we newly introduced a policy fund call center and AI chatbot consultation to assist companies facing difficulties in applying for policy funds, and we will continue efforts to improve accessibility to policy funds."

In addition, attendees raised various on-site difficulties, including △improvements in urban planning review related to industrial general high-pressure gases, △expansion of the scope of materials, parts, and equipment (SoBuJang), △expansion of foreign worker employment permits, and △preparation of support measures for rural convergence industries.

President Kim said, "It was a time to confirm the difficulties of small and medium venture businesses due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic," adding, "We will actively review parts where SBC support is possible and work as a bridge with the Ombudsman to ensure that voices from the field are conveyed to central ministries regarding government proposals."

Ombudsman Park promised, "I pay tribute to the CEOs who are working hard in the economic field without giving up even in difficult times," and pledged, "We will listen carefully to the voices from the Chungnam region and do our best to help SMEs overcome the current crisis and recover the economy through regulatory improvements."

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