[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Kang In-gyu, mayor of Naju, Jeollanam-do, held an open dialogue with heads of welfare facilities in the area.
According to the city on the 20th, Mayor Kang gathered opinions on difficulties in operating welfare facilities amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic through an open dialogue with members of the Social Welfare Institutions Association (President Kim Hoedong) at the Disabled Persons' Union Hall the previous day.
At the dialogue, Mayor Kang In-gyu, President Kim Hoedong of the association, and heads and officials of 11 elderly care and child welfare facilities in the area attended.
In his greeting, Mayor Kang said, “Despite the vulnerable conditions to COVID-19 infection, thanks to the dedication and commitment of the workers, the residents are living healthy daily lives,” and added, “I appreciate the hard work of the workers who become warm lights for neighbors in need with a spirit of restraint and dedication.”
Welfare facility officials requested Mayor Kang to support programs to boost the morale of social welfare facility workers, install speed limit signs on the road in front of Naju Senior Club, improve the compensation system for workers, and carry out anti-slip construction on the entrance road to Ihwa Orphanage.
Song Jong-woon (House of Resurrection) said, “Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the facility has been almost closed for the past two years due to restrictions on outside visitors, causing great mental distress to the facility workers,” and suggested, “I hope programs to boost morale will be supported once the COVID-19 situation improves so that workers can have pride and fulfillment in their jobs.”
Next, Kim Sun-young (Naju Senior Club) requested, “For the safety of elderly people commuting by bus, it is necessary to paint speed limit markings and install signs so that vehicle drivers can strictly follow traffic rules.”
Mayor Kang said, “Although the national welfare policy is shifting to universal welfare, rapidly increasing the number of welfare recipients and budget share, there are still insufficient parts in the treatment and working conditions of facility workers,” and added, “We will strive to discover various support measures to boost the morale of workers who are like another family to the residents.”
He continued, “Despite the quantitative expansion of welfare policies, there are still blind spots in our society where help does not reach,” and added, “I ask the workers to become warm lights for those in need who desperately require your help.”
Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong bong2910@asiae.co.kr
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