[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has rolled up its sleeves to support youth job seekers and employers. Starting from the second half of this year, the province will provide a youth interview allowance of up to 210,000 KRW. This is the first of its kind nationwide. The youth interview allowance is a measure to alleviate the financial burden on young people during their job search activities and to promote the culture of paying interview fees among private companies. The province also plans to offer various incentives, such as additional points in business support, to companies that provide the interview allowance.
◆Nation’s First 'Youth Interview Allowance' Introduced
As one of Governor Lee Jae-myung’s flagship youth policies, Gyeonggi Province announced on the 1st that it will introduce the 'Youth Interview Allowance,' which provides 35,000 KRW per interview, up to six times, totaling 210,000 KRW, for unemployed youth attending interviews.
The province has also significantly lowered the eligibility criteria for the interview allowance. Reflecting the prolonged difficulties in employment due to COVID-19, the age limit for support has been extended from 34 to 39 years old, and the minimum weekly working hours requirement has been reduced from 36 to 30 hours. Additionally, freelancers or those applying for jobs with less than 30 hours per week may receive the allowance if they are in special employment types that allow regular work, subject to separate review. However, those receiving unemployment benefits or youth job-seeking activity support funds will be excluded from eligibility.
The application targets for the interview allowance are ▲ residents of Gyeonggi Province aged 18 to 39 ▲ unemployed individuals ▲ youth applying for jobs with regular work of 30 hours or more per week.
The first round of applications will be accepted from the 1st of this month until the 31st of next month through the Gyeonggi Job Foundation platform 'Jobaba' (http://thankyou.jobaba.net). The second round of applications is planned for November.
The province will review submitted documents such as interview confirmation and overlapping benefit status, and pay the allowance in local currency within 60 days from the application date.
Kim Kyung-hwan, Director of the Youth Welfare Policy Division of the province, stated, "The newly introduced youth interview allowance is expected to ease the financial burden on young people during their job search and help spread a healthy culture of paying interview fees among many private companies."
Previously, in September last year, Gyeonggi Province recommended that 25 public institutions under its jurisdiction pay interview fees.
◆'Carrot' for Companies Paying Interview Allowance
Along with the interview allowance, the province began implementing the 'Interview Allowance Certification System' for companies this month. The core idea is to provide various incentives to companies that pay the interview allowance.
The province will issue certificates and certification marks in the name of the governor to companies that pay the interview allowance. Additionally, companies applying for 11 business support programs promoted by the province, such as Excellent Job Company Certification and Promising Small and Medium Enterprise Support, will receive additional points. Furthermore, the governor’s certification mark can be used as marketing and promotional material on the websites of the Gyeonggi Job Foundation or the Gyeonggi Institute of Science and Technology Promotion.
Kim Kyu-sik, Economic Planning Officer of the province, said, "With the implementation of this system, the interview allowance will help job seekers boost their motivation and reduce financial burdens, while companies will benefit from enhanced image. We will explore various ways to expand the culture of paying interview allowances."
According to the province, despite the challenging business environment caused by COVID-19, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises in the province providing 'interview allowances' to job seekers is increasing.
Company A, located in Ansan, decided to pay interview allowances as part of a long-term strategy to secure smooth staffing despite difficult business conditions due to COVID-19.
Company B, a manufacturer in the medical, pharmaceutical, and welfare sectors based in Yongin, has paid interview allowances since its founding as part of its 'sustainable management' policy codified in company regulations, and plans to pay interview fees to young interviewees this year as a token of appreciation. Company C in Gimpo also views all interviewees as potential customers and decided to pay interview fees this year to enhance corporate image.
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