[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The travel and tourism accommodation industries, which have been hit hard by the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), have been designated as 'special employment support sectors' and will receive government support to stabilize employment.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 9th that it held the first Employment Policy Deliberation Committee meeting of 2020, chaired by Minister Lee Jae-gap, and decided to designate four industries?travel, tourism accommodation, tourism transportation, and performance industries?as special employment support sectors.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor evaluated these industries by stating, "The damage caused by COVID-19 is clearly evident, and the extent of the damage is also at a serious level," adding, "It can be seen that employment reduction is certain."
The Ministry designates industries expected to experience a rapid deterioration in employment conditions due to worsening business conditions as special employment support sectors for management purposes. Currently, the shipbuilding industry is designated as a special employment support sector.
Once designated as a special employment support sector, government support such as employment retention subsidies, worker vocational training, and living stabilization fund loans will be strengthened.
In the case of employment retention subsidies, which pay part of the suspension or leave allowance to employers who have implemented paid suspension or leave measures, the current support rate is three-quarters of the suspension or leave allowance, but for special employment support sectors, it will be increased to nine-tenths.
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