Jeonnam Province Puts Full Effort into Work-Life Balance 'Jeonnam Happiness Era'

Declaration Ceremony Held... Business Agreement for Providing Incentives to Family-Friendly Certified Companies

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province is putting effort into opening the "Jeonnam Happiness Era" through work-life balance.

The province reflected on the one-year achievements of the Jeonnam Work-Life Balance Support Center and held the "2021 Jeonnam Work-Life Balance Practice Declaration Ceremony" on the 29th at the Wangin Room of the provincial office to spread the culture of work-life balance (WLB).

This event was prepared to establish a family-friendly corporate culture centered on public institutions and companies and to improve the quality of life of residents according to changes in lifestyle.

The declaration ceremony was attended by Governor Kim Young-rok, Superintendent of Education Jang Seok-woong, Chairman of the Health, Welfare and Environment Committee of the Provincial Council Kang Jeong-hee, company representatives, workers, and about 40 others.

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Jung Young-ae and Chairwoman of the National Assembly Gender Equality and Family Committee Jung Chun-sook supported Jeonnam's efforts to establish a WLB culture through video congratulatory messages.

At the event, following case presentations by Seo Ji-hoon, CEO of Muan Jiseong Food (food manufacturing), and Kim Tae-kyung, CEO of Gurye Kim Tae-kyung Bakery (food manufacturing), who exemplarily practice family-friendly management, a "Business Agreement on Providing Incentives to Family-Friendly Certified Companies" was signed among Jeonnam Province, NongHyup Bank, and Gwangju Bank.

The institutions involved in the business agreement will provide support such as preferential interest rates and management consulting for "family-friendly certified companies."

Additionally, all attendees pledged to the Jeonnam Work-Life Balance Practice Declaration and participated in a campaign promising ten practical actions.

Governor Kim Young-rok said, "The establishment of the Jeonnam Work-Life Balance Support Center laid the foundation for creating a family-friendly culture. Achieving work-life balance will spread substantial gender equality in our society and help solve the low birthrate problem. Let all participating institutions and organization heads actively practice work-life balance and fully open the 'Jeonnam Happiness Era.'"

Meanwhile, Jeonnam Province ranked 4th with a score of 55.2 in the 2019 Work-Life Balance Index Evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor among 17 cities and provinces nationwide, following Seoul, Jeju, and Busan. In January last year, the Jeonnam Work-Life Balance Support Center was established at the Women and Family Foundation to develop and support work-life balance policies tailored to local circumstances.