Family Care Leave Subsidy Application Begins... Up to '500,000 Won' Per Person

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] Applications for support funds for workers who took family care leave due to the COVID-19 situation began on the 5th.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, applications for the 'Emergency Support Project for Family Care Costs Related to COVID-19' have been accepted starting today.

This project provides 50,000 KRW per day of leave within an annual limit of 10 days to workers who took family care leave this year due to reasons related to the COVID-19 situation. This means that each person can receive up to 500,000 KRW.

Workers who took family care leave to care for family members infected with COVID-19 or children in grade 2 or below in elementary school (or under 8 years old) due to school closures, suspensions, or remote classes can receive the support fund.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor started the cost support project last year to alleviate the economic burden on workers taking unpaid family care leave. Although the project was initially planned to be temporary until the end of last year, it has continued this year due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation.

As of 4 p.m. on the first day of this year's support fund application, about 220 applicants have been recorded. Compared to the initial application surge of 2,000 to 3,000 people per day in March last year, the atmosphere is relatively quiet.

Meanwhile, 139,662 workers received family care leave cost support last year. The total amount paid was 52.9 billion KRW. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has allocated a budget of 42 billion KRW for family care leave costs this year.