Support of up to 9.6 million KRW per person for small businesses hiring new employees with disabilities

Employment must be maintained for over 6 months... Monthly support of 300,000 to 800,000 KRW depending on gender and disability

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Small-scale businesses that newly hire persons with disabilities and maintain their employment for more than six months can receive up to 9.6 million KRW per year in support.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 21st that it will implement the "New Employment Incentive Program for Persons with Disabilities" for three years from next year through 2024.

Employers with 5 to 49 regular employees who are not subject to the employment obligation under the Act on the Promotion of Employment of Persons with Disabilities can receive incentives if they newly hire persons with disabilities after January 1 of next year and maintain their employment for more than six months.

Regular employees are those who work at least 16 days or 60 hours per month. The number of newly hired employees eligible for incentives is limited to 2 (1 person if the number of regular employees is 5 to 32, and 2 persons if 33 to 49).

Employers who meet the support requirements can receive monthly support ranging from 300,000 KRW to 800,000 KRW for up to 12 months, depending on the gender and severity of disability of the newly hired disabled employees. If the disabled employee is a "mild male," the support is 300,000 KRW per month; "mild female," 450,000 KRW per month; "severe male," 600,000 KRW per month; and "severe female," 800,000 KRW per month.

Employers can apply for the incentive by visiting the regional headquarters or branch offices of the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities after July 1 of next year, once the minimum employment period (6 months) has passed. Application forms and required documents can be found on the agency's website.

Hwang Bo-guk, Director of the Integrated Employment Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, said, "The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the job-seeking difficulties of vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities," adding, "We expect the newly established incentives to help improve the employment situation for persons with disabilities."

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