Expansion of 2,000 Jobs in Disability Employment Projects... New Job Types Developed

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The government’s employment program for people with disabilities will expand, increasing the number of beneficiaries by 2,000 and creating new jobs for people with disabilities.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 8th that it will expand the employment program for people with disabilities this year to support a total of 29,546 individuals and develop four new job types, including assistants for activity aides for people with developmental disabilities, bringing the total supported job categories to 42.

The employment program for people with disabilities has been in operation since 2007, providing jobs to unemployed registered persons with disabilities aged 18 and older, who are vulnerable in the job market, to promote social participation and income security. The program is divided into general jobs, welfare jobs, and specialized jobs.

General jobs include positions such as administrative assistants at community welfare centers, supporting 11,515 people working either full-time (40 hours per week) or part-time (20 hours per week).

Welfare jobs allow participants to choose from 42 job types, including office assistance, D&D care, and cultural and artistic activities, working 56 hours per month at community social welfare facilities (3,676 locations as of last year), supporting 15,794 people.

Specialized jobs include support for 1,160 visually impaired massage therapists who provide mobile massage services at senior centers and other locations, and support for 1,077 developmental disability aides who assist care workers with general duties at nursing homes and similar facilities.

Yeom Min-seop, Director of the Disability Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "The employment program for people with disabilities provides jobs to promote social participation and income security, serving as an opportunity for various work experiences that can lead to employment in the private sector." He added, "We plan to continue expanding job opportunities and developing diverse job types tailored to the characteristics of disabilities so that more people with disabilities can participate in the program."