Incheon City has expanded the childcare reduced working hours system to include public service workers in order to alleviate the childcare burden on employees and increase the birth rate.
The city announced on the 18th that it has agreed with the Public Service Workers' Union to apply the 'childcare time system' to public service workers, similar to local government officials. The childcare time system allows public officials to reduce their working hours by up to 2 hours per day for child care and parenting.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety revised the local government officials' service regulations to increase the eligible child age for using the childcare time system from 5 to 8 years old and extend the usage period from 24 months to 36 months. However, public service workers were not included in this revision.
An official from Incheon City said, "To reduce the childcare burden on our employees and support low birth rate policies, we have promptly expanded the relevant regulations to public service workers as well," adding, "We will strive to create a work environment that is favorable for raising children for our employees."
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