Geumcheon-gu Provides Employment Retention Support Fund for Unpaid Leave Workers

Support for unpaid leave workers enrolled in employment insurance at businesses with fewer than 50 employees... Unpaid leave of 5 days or more per month from November 14, 2020 to March 31, 2021... Monthly support of 500,000 KRW for up to 3 months, extended by 1 month compared to last year

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Geumcheon-gu (Mayor Yu Seong-hoon) is providing employment retention subsidies to unpaid leave workers of small business owners and small enterprises who are experiencing business difficulties due to COVID-19-related business restrictions.

The support target is workers who took unpaid leave for more than 5 days per month from November 14 last year to March 31 this year at businesses with fewer than 50 employees located in the district. These workers must maintain employment insurance with the applying business until the payment date of April 30.

This year, the support period has been extended by one month compared to last year, providing 500,000 KRW per month for up to 3 months.

Employers or unpaid leave workers wishing to apply for the employment retention subsidy can download the application form from the ‘Geumcheon News’ section on the district website by March 31, fill it out, and submit it along with the required documents by visiting the Job Center on the 1st floor of Geumcheon-gu Office, or by email (geumcheonjob@citizen.seoul.kr) or fax.

Applicants are reviewed and selected by Seoul City according to the selection criteria (1st priority: ‘businesses prohibited from gathering’, 2nd priority: ‘businesses with operational restrictions’, 3rd priority: ‘other businesses’). One-person business owners, workers in non-profit organizations, and businesses excluded from small business policy fund loans are not eligible for support.

Yu Seong-hoon, Mayor of Geumcheon-gu, said, “I hope the employment retention subsidy will provide some help to business owners and unpaid leave workers who have suffered significant economic damage due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic,” and added, “This year, we will do our best to recover the local economy, which has been depressed by COVID-19.”