Public officials who have worked for more than 10 years will be granted five days of 'long-term employment leave.' Seven days will be given for those who have worked for more than 20 years.
The Ministry of Personnel Management noted on the 10th that it will announce draft legislation for the public officials' service regulations. The revised bill is set to take effect in July.
First, the long-term employment leave system that disappeared with the introduction of the 'five-day workweek' in 2005 will be revived. Public officials with a service period of 10 to less than 20 years will be entitled to five days of leave during that service period, while those who have served for more than 20 years can take seven days of leave before retirement.
A system for pregnant individuals will also be established. Male public officials accompanying their spouses for pregnancy check-ups will be granted 'pregnancy check-up leave' of up to 10 days.
Additionally, measures will be put in place to ensure the 'maternity protection time' usage for pregnant public officials. Maternity protection time is the time that pregnant female public officials can use to rest or seek medical attention for up to two hours a day. Previously, this was allowed only 'within the scope that does not interfere with official duties,' but from now on, it will be 'strictly' permitted in early and late pregnancy (within 12 weeks of pregnancy or after 32 weeks).
Cheon Ji-yoon, head of the ethics and service department at the Ministry of Personnel Management, said, 'I hope that public officials who have served for a long time will be able to recharge during their time off, which will boost morale,' and noted, 'We will do our best to create a work environment where public officials can work comfortably during pregnancy, childbirth, and child-rearing periods.'