Jung-gu Selects Over 600 Hope Jobs to Overcome COVID-19

Expanded Eligibility, Including Those Unemployed or Closed Businesses Due to COVID-19, Special Types and Freelancers... 4 to 6 Hours Daily, 5 Days a Week, Applying This Year's Minimum Wage (Hourly)... Announcement for Recruiting About 600 Desired Jobs Scheduled in June

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jung-gu (District Mayor Seoyangho) is promoting a large-scale Hope Job Project for residents in need of livelihood support due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, the number of people on leave and unemployed has surged to an all-time high, making the employment shock increasingly visible. In response, the district is launching an expanded Hope Job Project, significantly increasing the existing public work projects to stabilize employment for vulnerable groups.

The district plans to hire about 600 people for Hope Jobs working between 20 to 40 hours per week starting in June. Participants will work 4 to 6 hours per day, with some projects allowing up to 8 hours exceptionally, and the number of workers exceeding 30 hours per week will be limited to within 30%.

The target participants include not only vulnerable groups but also residents in need of livelihood support due to COVID-19. A wide range of groups such as low-income households, those unemployed after COVID-19, business suspension or closure workers, unpaid leave workers, and special types of workers and freelancers can participate.

The main project areas are ▲living quarantine support ▲alleyway commercial district and small business recovery support ▲public rest area improvement ▲cultural and artistic environment improvement ▲emergency public work support ▲other specialized projects.

The wage is set at 8,590 KRW per hour based on the minimum wage, so workers will receive a monthly salary ranging from 890,000 KRW (based on 4 hours) to 1,340,000 KRW (based on 6 hours), and enrollment in the four major insurances and statutory allowances will also be supported.

The district plans to complete the demand survey by the 25th and announce the recruitment for Hope Jobs in June.

Furthermore, the district aims to link these jobs to private sector employment in the long term to create sustainable public sector jobs in the local community.

Seoyangho, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, "At a time when the overall real economy such as exports, employment, and consumption is in recession and the spread of unemployment is a concern, we hope this COVID-19 Overcoming Hope Job Project will provide opportunities to residents in need of jobs and ignite a spark for the recovery of the depressed local economy."