Economic Group Launches "Overcome Low Birthrate" Challenge

by Choi Daeyul

Published 19 Dec.2024 12:00(KST)

The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) announced on the 19th that it has launched a relay challenge to overcome the low birthrate crisis together with six economic organizations.

This campaign, involving KEF, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea Economic Association, the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, and the Korea Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises, was established to spread a family-friendly corporate culture and create a positive social atmosphere for childbirth and childcare. Key figures from economic organizations and companies participate by freely posting certification photos or videos holding the challenge slogan, or messages, on their individual company websites or social networking services (SNS).

Lee Dong-geun, KEF’s Executive Vice Chairman, posted a message on KEF’s Facebook and Twitter on the 17th, saying, "Work-life balance is an essential factor not only to overcome the low birthrate crisis but also for the sustainable growth of our companies. We ask for the active interest and participation of companies so that a family-friendly corporate culture can spread throughout the industrial sector."

Lee Dong-geun, Executive Vice President of the Korea Employers Federation, attended the industry challenge to overcome the low birthrate crisis and delivered a message. Photo by Korea Employers Federation

Park Il-jun, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "We ask companies to join in creating a work environment where work and family are balanced to build a society where childbirth and childcare are happy," adding, "The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry will also strive for voluntary participation by companies." This message was posted on the Chamber’s website and KakaoTalk channel.

Kim Chang-beom, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Economic Association, stated, "Voluntary efforts by companies are important to create an environment where employees can work with peace of mind while balancing childcare and work," and added, "We hope this economic sector’s ‘Low Birthrate Crisis Overcoming Relay Challenge’ will serve as an opportunity to spread positive perceptions about marriage and childbirth."

"We hope this low birthrate overcoming challenge will spread a family-friendly culture across all industries, including the economic sector," said Lee In-ho, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association. "The Korea Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises will take the lead in creating a society where people can be happy both at work and at home," said Lee Ho-jun, Executive Vice Chairman of the Korea Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises. "Since small and medium enterprises account for 99.9% of all companies and 81% of employment, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business will actively participate in creating a work-family balance environment at the SME level," said Lee Myung-ro, Director of Human Resources Policy at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business. Other executives from economic organizations also posted messages on various channels.

Later this month, many companies, including member companies of each organization and companies recognized for excellence in work-family balance, are expected to participate in follow-up challenges.