Increase in Applications One Month After Launch of 'Sangbyeong Sudang' Implemented with 6 Local Governments Nationwide
First Two Approved Cases Paid, Helping Workers Focus on Treatment
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Pohang City, Gyeongbuk Province, has received a total of 110 applications as of the 16th since the pilot project for sickness benefits began one month ago, and has paid sickness benefits for 2 cases that have completed the review.
The pilot project for sickness benefits, aimed at providing rest and income security for sick workers, has been implemented since the 4th of last month in six local governments nationwide, including Pohang City.
The number of applications for sickness benefits has been increasing weekly since the pilot project started, with 14 applications for extensions currently in progress.
For the 2 cases in Pohang where sickness benefits were paid, payments were decided for 6 days and 8 days respectively, excluding the 7-day waiting period according to regulations during the period when work was not possible. They received 263,760 KRW and 351,680 KRW respectively from the Pohang Southern Branch of the National Health Insurance Corporation, corresponding to 43,960 KRW per day.
Mr. A, a port worker, slipped in his home bathroom and suffered a fracture. Even after hospitalization and treatment, he was unable to work and applied for sickness benefits. Mr. B, a mattress care inspection worker, suffered a minor wrist fracture after falling, making work impossible for a certain period. He applied for sickness benefits, was selected as a recipient, and received the payment on August 4th, the first time in Pohang City.
'Sickness benefits' is a system that compensates income so that workers who have difficulty engaging in economic activities due to injuries or illnesses unrelated to work can focus on treatment.
In Pohang City, workers aged 15 to under 65 residing in the area (regardless of residence for 19 designated cooperative workplaces in Pohang City) who are unable to work for 7 days or more due to non-work-related illness or injury and meet the eligibility requirements can receive 43,960 KRW per day from the 8th day up to a maximum of 90 days.
The first phase of the pilot project has been implemented for one year from July 4, 2022. The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Corporation operate the project, while Pohang City supports cooperation such as discovering cooperative workplaces, promoting the pilot project, assisting with eligibility screening and recipient management, and establishing a cooperation system with stakeholders.
Mayor Kang-deok Lee said, "I hope that the sickness benefits helped even a little for those who could not work due to illness to focus on treatment during that period," and added, "We will do our best to provide support at the local government level so that the pilot project for sickness benefits can be stably established through an organic cooperation system with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Corporation."
The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to design a sickness benefits system suitable for domestic conditions after three years of pilot projects and social discussions, and to promote its full-scale introduction from 2025.
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