Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) on the 15th welcomed the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' plan to expand support for self-employed workers' employment insurance premiums, saying it is a measure that will help strengthen the social safety net for micro businesses.
In a statement that day, the group noted, "The government increasing support for employment insurance premiums to as much as 80%, and in some regions up to 100% through cooperation with local governments, will serve as a bulwark for micro business owners facing the fear of closure."
It added, "We highly evaluate that the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) presented a policy stance that goes beyond expense support and connects to a second chance after closure," adding, "This is the path to building the soil for a 'second-chance for those who failed,' where micro business owners can rise again even if they fail."
The group also called for streamlined administrative procedures and stronger outreach so the policy can be carried out smoothly on the ground, as well as improvements to the employment insurance system, including correcting the premium rate that is more than twice that for employees and enhancing the maternity and childcare leave programs.
Song Chi-young, head of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME), said, "As a statutory economic organization representing micro business owners, we will actively promote this program," adding, "In step with the government's policy to strengthen the social safety net, we will do our utmost to protect the rights and interests of micro business owners."