Gangbuk-gu Provides Employment Retention Subsidies for Unpaid Leave Workers in COVID-19 Affected Companies

Monthly payment of 500,000 KRW per unpaid leave worker in companies with fewer than 50 employees, up to 1,500,000 KRW for 3 months... Email, registered mail, fax applications accepted for one month from March 1... In-person applications available from March 2

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Gyeom-su) will provide the ‘Unpaid Leave Worker Employment Retention Support Fund’ to prevent unemployment among workers in local companies and maintain their employment status.

This measure comes in response to the increasing number of companies facing business difficulties due to prolonged restrictions and bans on gatherings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The target beneficiaries are unpaid leave workers belonging to companies with fewer than 50 employees in Gangbuk-gu who are enrolled in employment insurance. They must have been on unpaid leave for at least 5 days per month during the period from November 14, 2020, to March 31, 2021, and must maintain employment insurance until April 30, 2021.

The support amount is 500,000 KRW per person per month, with a maximum payment of 1,500,000 KRW for up to 3 months. The district plans to prioritize support for workers in companies designated as subject to gathering bans and business restrictions according to COVID-19 quarantine guidelines.

The application period is from March 1 to March 31.

Applications can be submitted by the employer or the unpaid leave worker themselves, and authorized representatives with a power of attorney can also apply.

Applicants should prepare the application form, consent form for personal information processing, and other necessary documents, and submit them via email (nando@citizen.seoul.kr), fax, or registered mail (13 Dobong-ro 89-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Job and Economy Division, Gangbuk-gu Office).

From March 2, applications can also be submitted in person at the Job Plus Center on the first floor of the district office. Forms can be downloaded from the ‘News’ section of the Gangbuk-gu Office website.

Mayor Park Gyeom-su of Gangbuk-gu said, “I hope that workers suffering from hardships due to the year-long spread of the infectious disease will overcome difficulties by using the employment retention support fund as a stepping stone,” and added, “We will continue to strive to prepare policies for the stability of residents’ lives and the recovery of the local economy.”