[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Policy Committee of the People Power Party announced the 'Happy Childbirth and Secure Childcare 5 Acts' on the 27th, which aims to double the upper limit of childcare leave benefits.
The Secure Childcare 5 Acts is the second installment of the People Power Party's Livelihood Policy Series, aiming to break away from past childbirth promotion policies and realize work-family balance.
The main points include raising the upper limit of childcare leave benefits from 1.5 million KRW per month (for the first three months) to 2.87 million KRW, and securing 'childcare time' for working moms and childcare daddies by promoting flexible work arrangements such as flexible working hours and selective working hours.
Additionally, a parental insurance system will be introduced to expand the application of pre- and post-childbirth leave benefits and childcare leave benefits beyond current employment insurance subscribers to include self-employed persons, special-type workers, and full-time homemakers who are not covered by employment insurance, known as 'On Parents.' It is also planned to legally specify that there should be no age or income-based differentiation or limits on the number of times support is provided for infertility treatment procedure costs.
Lee Jong-bae, chairman of the People Power Party Policy Committee, stated, "We will strive to realize childcare leave benefits and secure time for parents to care for their children to create an environment where children can be born and raised," adding, "We will improve the system so that everyone can receive maternal protection benefits, share the happiness of childbirth, and build a country where the joy of childcare is greater."
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