[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The second round of emergency employment stabilization funds, provided to special-type workers (STWs) and freelancers whose incomes have decreased due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), has been paid to approximately 450,000 people as of the 29th.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that as of 10 a.m. on the same day, it had paid 224.9 billion KRW in second-round support funds to 449,880 STWs and freelancers who received the first round of emergency employment stabilization funds.
This accounts for 97% of the total 463,859 STWs and freelancers who received the first round of support. Each of them received 500,000 KRW in the second-round support fund.
To distribute the second-round support funds before Chuseok, mass transfers through commercial banks began on the 24th. Additional work continued in the afternoon to complete payments to a total of about 460,000 eligible recipients.
Currently, there are 13,979 unpaid cases due to account number errors, and after verifying the account holder and account number, additional payments are planned for the same day.
If account number errors persist during the payment process, verification will be conducted and payments will be completed by early next month.
If there is an objection to the first-round support fund, the second-round support fund will be paid after the payment decision is finalized.
If a special-type worker or freelancer who did not receive the first-round emergency employment stabilization fund has experienced income reduction due to COVID-19 and falls below a certain income threshold, they can newly apply for the second-round support fund in October and receive assistance.
Online new applications will be accepted from October 12 to 23 on the emergency employment stabilization fund website, and in-person applications will be available from October 19 to 23 at employment centers under the jurisdiction of the applicant’s residence or workplace. However, on the 19th and 20th, an odd-even system based on the last digit of the birth year will be operated.
Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jae-gap said, "I hope the second-round emergency employment stabilization fund will provide some help to those still struggling to make a living due to COVID-19."
He added, "We will ensure smooth processing of new applications for the second-round emergency employment stabilization fund starting from the 12th of next month and prepare thoroughly by hiring personnel and upgrading computer systems to enable the fastest possible payments."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
