Incheon City Promotes Improvement of Working Conditions Including Wage Increase for Lower-Level Staff at Social Welfare Facilities

1% Increase Compared to Ministry of Health and Welfare Guidelines
Welfare Point Increase, Support for Overseas Training, etc.

Incheon City is taking steps to improve the treatment of lower-level workers in social welfare facilities.

On the 11th, the city announced that it has established the "2025 Social Welfare Facility Workers Treatment Improvement Plan," which will invest 29.6 billion KRW in 20 projects, including a 1% increase in wages for lower-level workers compared to the Ministry of Health and Welfare guidelines, an increase in welfare points, and support for overseas training.

Incheon City Hall

In 2020, the city was the first nationwide to introduce a seniority-based pay system for government-funded social welfare facilities that had no wage standards, and has been gradually providing wage compensation to facilities with relatively lower wage levels. As a result, last year, all government- and city-funded facilities achieved 100% of the Ministry of Health and Welfare wage guidelines, eliminating wage disparities among supported facilities.

However, the wage levels of lower-level workers such as social workers, life guidance workers, managers, and technical staff remain low, so Incheon City has decided to pursue a plan to increase wages by 1% above the government’s wage guidelines.

Additionally, the city plans to raise welfare points for leisure activities and self-development, and expand domestic advanced site visits to overseas training to enhance the expertise and morale of lower-level workers.

Furthermore, 17 other projects will be implemented, including fixed meal allowances, manager allowances, special area work allowances, childcare and long-term service paid leave, paid sick leave, and comprehensive health check-up expenses.

Meanwhile, among the total workers at 693 social welfare facilities in the Incheon area, lower-level workers account for 2,318 people, or 49.6% of all employees.