Starting in July, when workers utilize parental leave or the reduced working hours system for childcare and voluntarily resign after returning to work, small businesses will be able to receive full government support funds. Previously, if a worker utilizing such a system voluntarily resigned, the company could not receive 50% of the government support funds.
The Ministry of Employment announced on the 28th that a revision of the Employment Insurance Act enforcement decree containing these details was adopted at the State Council meeting.
The government provides small businesses with a monthly support fund of 300,000 won for allowing employees to take parental leave or reducing working hours for childcare. This is an incentive to encourage small businesses to utilize such systems. Initially, only half of this support fund is paid, and the remainder is given six months after the worker returns to work.
However, currently, if a worker does not return to the company or leaves before completing six months, the remaining half cannot be received. Therefore, there have been concerns among small businesses whether it is the company's responsibility when an employee voluntarily resigns, as it is neither a dismissal nor a recommended resignation.
Additionally, starting in July, those receiving jobseeker's benefits who start a business and operate it for more than 12 months will be eligible for early reemployment benefits. To receive the benefits, they must submit tax documentation, including monthly sales. Also, those serving in roles such as industrial functional personnel to fulfill military obligations will be excluded from receiving the early reemployment benefits.
Furthermore, at the State Council meeting held on this day, they adopted the enforcement decree of the 'National Lifelong Vocational Skills Development Act', which allows the job competency bank to collect and manage overseas job experiences of young people starting from June 2.
If business owners of learning enterprises receive support funds through improper means, they will be subject to an additional charge of an amount less than five times the support funds. It was also decided to extend the validity review of the authorization criteria conducted every two years for certified labor attorneys and tax accountants who handle employment and industrial accident insurance affairs to three years.