[New Year's Address] An Kyung-duk, Minister of Employment and Labor, "Committed to Drastically Reducing Industrial Accident Fatalities"

"31.1 Trillion Job Budget Rapid Execution
Digital and New Industry Private-Led Talent Development"

Minister of Employment and Labor An Kyung-duk delivering his inaugural speech at the inauguration ceremony held at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on May 7. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] An Kyung-duk, Minister of Employment and Labor, stated on the 31st regarding the Serious Accident Punishment Act, which will be enforced from January 27 next year, "We will do our best to create a turning point for the drastic reduction of industrial accident fatalities."

In his New Year's address that day, Minister An said, "We will actively support companies in establishing safety and health management systems through close consulting and financial support amounting to 1.1 trillion won."

Minister An added, "We will conduct field-centered, customized supervision focusing on small-scale construction sites and major causes of fatalities such as falls, fires, and explosions," and "We will strengthen the collaboration system among central and local governments and public-private sectors to build a more thorough prevention system."

He emphasized, "Reducing industrial accidents cannot be achieved by government efforts alone," and urged, "Companies should also consider what safety measures are necessary to reduce even a single fatal accident and work together."

Minister An also stated, "We will promptly execute next year's job budget of 31.1 trillion won to expand the private sector's employment capacity and establish a foundation for creating quality jobs," and stressed, "We will expand private-led talent development in digital and new industry sectors with high job demand and support systematic workforce training."

He said, "We will support women's work and caregiving balance by increasing the rate and ceiling of parental leave pay," and added, "We plan to introduce employment subsidies to help the elderly work longer in main jobs and enhance reemployment support services."

Minister An concluded, "Although employment improvement is expected to continue next year, uncertainties such as COVID-19 quarantine risks remain," and said, "We will turn the rapidly changing labor market environment, including digital and low-carbon transitions and diversification of employment types, into new job opportunities and ensure that no one is left behind in the process."

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