The city of Suwon in Gyeonggi Province is providing shortened work hour incentives to small and medium-sized enterprises that implement a "10 a.m. start time" policy for employees who are parents of first-grade elementary school students. This is a new support policy for small and medium-sized enterprises aimed at addressing low birth rates.
The target businesses are those with fewer than 300 employees within the city that introduce a one-hour reduced work schedule (10 a.m. start time) for employees who are parents of first-grade elementary school students.
To enable employees who are parents of first-grade elementary students to work shortened hours without a pay cut, Suwon City will provide up to 600,000 KRW per employee for two months. Up to 10 cases per business and a total of 100 cases will be supported.
Suwon City will introduce a 10 a.m. start time for parents of first-grade elementary school students working at small and medium-sized businesses. Photo by Suwon City
Eligibility requirements include ▲ working 8 hours per day ▲ being a business registered for employment insurance ▲ having a child expected to enter first grade of elementary school in March 2025 ▲ the child is expected to attend an elementary school in Suwon, and the parent working reduced hours must reside in Suwon.
Applications can be submitted via the Saebit Toktok app or the website’s "Application Submission" board. Recruitment will close after the first 100 applications are received on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must submit an application form, business registration certificate, a copy of the employment contract for the employee working reduced hours, and the school enrollment notification.
A Suwon City official stated, "The time when children enter first grade of elementary school is the period when working parents face the greatest childcare difficulties," adding, "By supporting the introduction of the 10 a.m. start time for parents of first-grade students in small and medium-sized enterprises, employers can create a family-friendly work environment, and employees can resolve childcare issues."
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