Jeonju City’s Third Win-Win Agreement for a ‘No Layoff City’... A Total of 809 Participants

Contracted with 592 Workplaces, Expecting Employment Stability for Low-Wage Workers

The 3rd Win-Win Agreement Signing Ceremony for the "City Without Layoffs" in Jeonju is taking place. Photo by Jeonju City.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hong Jae-hee] To overcome the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, Jeonju City in Jeollabuk-do has been promoting a “No Layoff City” coexistence agreement, which is expanding into various sectors as small businesses in the food service and medical industries join.

On the 13th, Jeonju City announced that Mayor Kim Seung-su, Jeonju City Council Chairman Kang Dong-hwa, Lee Joong-bon CEO Kim Yeon-nim, Choi Cheol CEO of Jeonju 21st Century Hospital, and representatives from 12 businesses signed the third “No Layoff City” coexistence agreement.

With the participation of 592 businesses, including 12 major representative businesses and 580 businesses that signed non-face-to-face agreements in the third round, the total number of businesses committed to maintaining employment under the “No Layoff City” initiative has increased to 809, including 217 from the first and second rounds.

Additionally, 123 food service businesses and 81 medical businesses, which are small-scale businesses facing difficulties in maintaining employment, have joined, and it is expected to help stabilize employment for low-wage workers such as temporary and daily workers.

Along with this, seven media outlets including JTV Jeonju Broadcasting, News1, Jeonbuk Ilbo, Jeonbuk Domin Ilbo, Sae Jeonbuk Newspaper, Jeonbuk Joongang Newspaper, and Jeonju Ilbo, as well as various sectors such as construction, wholesale and retail, social enterprises, cooperatives, education, and manufacturing, have decided to participate, continuing the spirit of coexistence.

The participating businesses in the agreement pledged to maintain employment without layoffs until the end of COVID-19 and share the burden, committing to work together with employees and local community members to overcome the current crisis.

Accordingly, the city supports employment stability through measures such as ▲interest subsidy for employment maintenance management safety funds for coexistence companies ▲extension of interest subsidy support for repayment-due companies under the small and medium enterprise development fund ▲support for employers’ share of employment maintenance subsidies ▲consulting support for employment insurance enrollment ▲education and training allowance support for companies participating in employment maintenance education and training ▲deferral of local taxes (acquisition tax, local income tax, etc.) and reduction of public utility charges.

Furthermore, additional points will be awarded when participating in company-customized overseas marketing support projects and small and medium enterprise environment improvement projects promoted by the city.

Mayor Kim Seung-su said, “Moving towards a no layoff city is difficult and challenging, but business owners who have made the significant decision to maintain employment are spreading throughout Jeonju and across various sectors,” adding, “We will do our best to protect individuals, families, and local communities through strong social solidarity.”