Gyeonggi-do Introduces 'Interview Allowance Payment Company Certification System' for the First Time in the 7th Local Government Term

[Asia Economy (Uijeongbu) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will introduce the 'Interview Allowance Payment Company Certification System' starting next month. This support policy comes in response to the increasing number of companies in Gyeonggi Province that provide interview allowances despite the difficulties in management caused by the recent spread of COVID-19. The interview allowance refers to a certain amount of money that companies provide to applicants for transportation and other expenses during job interviews.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 31st that, for the first time during the 7th local government administration, it will implement the 'Interview Allowance Payment Company Certification System' starting next month to discover and certify companies that pay interview allowances to young job seekers and to support various benefits to establish a healthy recruitment culture.

In fact, despite the challenging business conditions due to COVID-19, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises in the province that consistently hire personnel and provide interview allowances to job seekers is increasing.

Company A, located in Ansan, decided to pay interview allowances to young job seekers this year in consideration of the severe recruitment difficulties caused by COVID-19 and to ensure a smooth supply of personnel in the long term.

Company B, a manufacturer in the medical, pharmaceutical, and welfare sectors located in Yongin, has been paying interview allowances since its establishment as part of its "sustainable management" motto, which is stipulated in its company regulations. This year as well, it plans to pay interview fees as a token of appreciation to young people who have prepared for employment and shown interest in the company.

Company C, located in Gimpo, decided to pay interview fees to reduce the employment cost burden on young people, respecting all interviewees as potential customers.

The province plans to award certified companies with a certificate and certification mark in the name of the governor. In addition, certified companies will receive additional points when applying for 11 types of corporate support projects promoted by Gyeonggi Province, such as excellent job creation company certification and promising small and medium-sized enterprise support.

Furthermore, certified companies will be supported to use the governor's certification mark in their marketing activities or to promote their corporate image by posting their names on the websites of the Gyeonggi Job Foundation or the Gyeonggi Institute of Science and Technology Promotion.

Kim Gyu-sik, Director of Economic Planning at the province, said, "If the interview allowance becomes established through this system, job seekers will benefit from increased motivation for employment and reduced economic burden, and companies will see an improvement in their image. We will continue to explore various measures to expand the culture of paying interview allowances."

Meanwhile, detailed information related to this interview allowance payment company certification system will be announced next month through the Gyeonggi Job Foundation's Jobaba website (www.jobaba.net).