Focus on Treatment with Support! ... Changwon City Implements 'Sangbyeong Allowance Pilot Project'

Changwon City Hall, Gyeongnam. / Photo by Se-ryeong Lee ryeong@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Se-ryeong] Starting from July 4, the 'Sangbyeong Allowance Pilot Project' will be implemented in Changwon City, Gyeongnam.

This system supports a portion of income during the period when workers take time off due to illnesses or injuries unrelated to work, such as COVID-19, with the government providing allowances through health insurance.

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the 15th, Lee Sang-min, the second deputy, stated, "The pilot project for the Sangbyeong Allowance, which allows people to rest when they are sick, will be implemented from early next month."

This project will be piloted in Seoul Jongno-gu, Bucheon City in Gyeonggi, Cheonan City in Chungnam, Pohang City in Gyeongbuk, Suncheon City in Jeonnam, as well as Changwon City.

It is planned to proceed over a total of three years in phases 2 and 3 thereafter.

The Changwon City Sangbyeong Allowance pilot project targets employed persons residing in Changwon City and workers at cooperative workplaces designated by local governments, regardless of occupation.

During the period when workers cannot work due to illnesses or injuries unrelated to work, 43,960 KRW per day, which is 60% of this year's minimum wage, will be supported.

The city plans to pay the Sangbyeong Allowance for the number of days the worker is hospitalized due to illness or injury, with a minimum waiting period of 3 days and a maximum coverage period of 90 days required to be eligible as a beneficiary.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters explained that the waiting period is set to prevent moral hazard cases such as receiving the Sangbyeong Allowance before taking leave.

A city official said, "A social environment has been established where workers can focus on treatment with government support when economic activity is difficult due to illnesses or injuries unrelated to work," adding, "We will actively strive for the successful operation of the pilot project."