Adopted as a National Policy Initiative
An “Innovative Example of Labor Welfare”
Photo of the opening ceremony of the industrial complex workers' breakfast center 'Simple Morning Meal.' Provided by Gwangju City
Gwangju City’s “Breakfast Support Program for Industrial Complex Workers,” the first of its kind in the country, was recently adopted as a national policy initiative by the Lee Jaemyung administration, drawing attention as an innovative example of labor welfare. This is seen as evidence of the effectiveness of Gwangju City’s proactive policy to improve the quality of life for workers.
According to Gwangju City on August 26, since March 2023, the city has implemented the “Breakfast Support Program for Industrial Complex Workers (A Simple Morning Meal),” enabling industrial complex workers to have a healthy and affordable breakfast without skipping meals. Items such as gimbap, sandwiches, and salads are provided at about half the market price, which has received an enthusiastic response.
Starting with the opening of the first branch at Hanam Industrial Complex in 2023, the program expanded to a second branch at the Cheomdan Industrial Complex in 2024. Currently, an average of about 200 meals are sold per day, demonstrating high usage and satisfaction rates.
The city is not only promoting workers’ health but also fostering mutual growth with local agriculture. Last year, Gwangju City signed a business agreement with the Gwangju branch of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup), receiving donations of high-quality rice to use as ingredients, thereby contributing to increased rice consumption. This has enabled the city to provide better quality meals to workers while also having a positive impact on the local economy.
This is an example of Gwangju City’s leadership in innovative policy, having implemented the program two years before its adoption as a national policy by the Lee Jaemyung administration. The program has been benchmarked by other local governments, such as Anyang and Changwon, and is now established as a successful model for improving the working environment in industrial complexes.
Mayor Kang Gijung stated, “Gwangju City was the first in the country to implement a breakfast support program to ensure the health and welfare of industrial complex workers. This is an innovative leading example of promoting both agricultural development and labor welfare. We will continue to expand worker-centered policies in the future.”
Gwangju City plans to continue developing a variety of menu options based on satisfaction surveys and to review expanding the program within industrial complexes so that more workers can benefit.
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