Government Recommends 'Vaccine Leave'
Samsung, LG and Other Large Corporations Gradually Adopt
'Pie in the Sky' for Small and Medium Enterprises
Office workers are heading to work at the Sejongno intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Jang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "Vaccine leave is like a dream in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)."
As COVID-19 vaccinations have accelerated, vaccine leave is being rapidly introduced mainly in large and medium-sized companies. However, SMEs and small businesses, which lack manpower and financial resources compared to large corporations, are still reluctant to adopt vaccine leave.
Some point out that the polarization between companies due to COVID-19 is worsening. After feeling disheartened by differences in work types such as remote work following the COVID-19 crisis, the emergence of the 'vaccine leave polarization' issue only increases the sense of deprivation among SME workers.
Earlier, the government recommended the introduction of a 'vaccine leave system' when expanding vaccinations to the general public on the 1st of last month. Those who experience adverse reactions after vaccination can take up to two days of sick leave or paid leave without a doctor's note.
The problem is that not all eligible individuals can freely use vaccine leave. Especially since vaccine leave is a non-mandatory 'recommendation,' in private companies, whether leave is granted ultimately depends on the discretion of the employer.
As a result, polarization is occurring where the adoption of vaccine leave depends on job type or company size. Large domestic companies such as Samsung, LG, Lotte, and Shinsegae have already introduced vaccine leave, and industries like information technology (IT), finance, and pharmaceuticals are also quickly considering its adoption.
However, in SMEs or small businesses with few employees, it is practically difficult to introduce vaccine leave, and even if introduced, it is reported that using it is realistically challenging due to supervisors' watchful eyes.
Lee (26), an office worker at an advertising agency, said, "There has been no announcement about vaccine leave at my company yet. There are rumors that the company might grant a day off, but I’m not sure if leave will actually be introduced." He added, "Even if leave is introduced, I don't think many colleagues will actually take time off. Since there are few employees, if I don't work, others have to do double the work, so I can't help but be cautious."
On the morning of the 3rd, medical staff are administering vaccines at a vaccination center set up at the Jungnang Cultural and Sports Center in Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Online, many workers are also voicing complaints about polarization caused by COVID-19. One netizen who said they work at an SME stated, "There is no announcement about vaccine leave at my company. In the end, if you get vaccinated and have side effects, you have no choice but to take medicine and go to work or use your personal annual leave." They added, "Vaccine leave is also a case of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. People in my department said they reluctantly have to get vaccinated on Friday afternoon."
Another netizen said, "It is essential to have time to check one's physical condition after vaccination. Among my acquaintances who got vaccinated, one had such severe muscle pain that they inevitably had to take annual leave the next day." They added, "I hope vaccine leave is made mandatory."
Regarding this, the number of people who feel that polarization between large and small businesses has worsened has increased. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Federation of SMEs in March on 500 small manufacturing companies, 43.8% responded that the degree of polarization between large and small companies has 'worsened' compared to before the COVID-19 crisis.
However, the government has stated that not mandating vaccine leave is a measure considering realistic conditions.
Son Youngrae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said in March, "It is difficult to provide leave for freelancers or housewives engaged in domestic work who are not regular employees." He added, "Applying mandatory leave in the current situation could rather cause controversy over fairness (by occupation and industry)."
Some argue that government support is needed to introduce vaccine leave, as many people complain of discomfort after vaccination.
In fact, it was found that 3 out of 10 people who received COVID-19 vaccines reported discomfort after vaccination. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, among 18,000 people vaccinated since February 26, 32% reported discomfort, and 2.7% of them visited medical institutions. Also, a survey of 5,400 vaccinated individuals at 20 randomly selected nursing hospitals showed that 1.4% used about one day of annual leave due to adverse reactions.
A netizen who identified as a small business owner said, "Even if I want to support vaccine leave for employees, it is difficult because the number of workers is very small. Although vaccine leave is a recommendation, I only feel sorry for my employees." They added, "If the government provides direct or indirect support for vaccine leave, it might help solve fairness issues to some extent."
Meanwhile, the government and health authorities are considering ways to increase vaccination rates. Kim Gi-nam, head of the Vaccination Planning Division at the COVID-19 Vaccination Response Task Force, said at a briefing held at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency in Osong, Chungbuk, on the afternoon of the 1st, "We are making efforts to recommend and encourage rest or leave for facilities and institutions targeted for vaccination in the first half of the year after vaccination."
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