Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-mu is explaining the '6th Changwon-type Disaster Relief Fund' at the Changwon City Hall briefing room on the 8th. [Image source=Changwon City]
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Changwon City in Gyeongnam announced on the 8th that it will provide the ‘6th Changwon-type Disaster Relief Fund’ to corporate taxi and charter bus drivers, tourism businesses, and special-type workers and freelancers who are in the blind spots of government support.
The city plans to support three areas: ‘Changwon-type Quarantine Support Fund’ for those excluded from government quarantine support, ‘Emergency Livelihood Support Fund’ for those excluded from loss compensation, and ‘Special-type and Freelancer Support Fund’ for cultural and artistic workers and others.
A total budget of 8.73 billion KRW, about 1 billion KRW more than the 5th support fund, will be invested, and approximately 15,000 people are expected to benefit.
First, the city will provide the ‘Changwon-type Quarantine Support Fund’ to corporate taxi and charter bus drivers. To ensure fairness with other industries and minimum livelihood security, 1 million KRW per person will be provided as quarantine support.
Applications will be accepted from the 10th to the 23rd, and payments are expected to begin from the end of February with minimized screening procedures.
Tourism businesses, including travel agencies excluded from loss compensation, will receive support again in this 6th round under the name of ‘Emergency Livelihood Support Fund,’ as in the 5th round.
Each business will receive 500,000 KRW as the ‘Emergency Livelihood Support Fund,’ and applications will be accepted from the 10th, with payments starting at the end of February, similar to corporate taxis.
For special-type workers and freelancers who are excluded from both quarantine support and loss compensation due to the nature of their industries and thus fall into support blind spots, the city will independently provide the ‘Special-type and Freelancer Support Fund.’
All special-type workers and freelancers across industries, including cultural and artistic workers, after-school teachers, community autonomy program instructors, insurance and card planners, are eligible, and 500,000 KRW per person will be provided.
Cultural and artistic workers will apply from the 10th like other industries, and those with valid proof of artistic activity whose personal health insurance premiums are at or below 150% of the median income can receive support. However, if the applicant is a dependent, support is available up to 180% of the median income.
Other special-type workers and freelancers, due to the large number of industries and personnel, will begin applications after March following a separate preparation period including additional staffing for application processing.
Mayor Heo Seong-mu said, “I hope this support will be an opportunity to give citizens the strength and courage to overcome COVID-19.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
