If You Hire Substitute Workers for Childbirth and Childcare, We Will Give You 800,000 Won per Month

Asia Economy and Seoul City Joint Project [Work-Life Balance 2.0 Era]

Substitute Workforce Support Fund Allocated 55.9 Billion Won This Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Companies that hire replacement workers due to maternity leave, parental leave, or childcare leave can receive support from the government.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor on the 15th, 55.9 billion KRW has been allocated this year for replacement worker support related to childbirth and childcare periods. This budget can support up to approximately 8,500 replacement workers. When employees take leave or parental leave due to childbirth and childcare, companies can receive 800,000 KRW per month per replacement worker. This amount has been increased from 600,000 KRW per month last year. Large-scale companies receive 300,000 KRW per month per person.

The payment period includes the duration of maternity leave, parental leave, or childcare leave used, as well as a handover period of up to two months. During the handover period, companies receive 1.2 million KRW per month. Employers can also receive wage support when using replacement workers due to miscarriage or stillbirth leave.

The government also operates a Replacement Worker Bank. This employment support system secures and recommends suitable replacement workers in advance for positions expected to have work gaps due to maternity leave, parental leave, or reduced working hours during childcare periods. Job seekers can apply for jobs through the Replacement Worker Bank and receive job introductions through consultations with consultants. So far, more than 25,000 people have applied. A Ministry of Employment and Labor official stated, "This year, the replacement worker support fund is being used about 25-30% more compared to the same period last year."