The government has approved support for over 1,200 workers transitioning to full-time employment through its regular employment transition support program, which resumed this year.
As of the end of June, the Ministry of Employment and Labor reported on July 8 that 740 businesses and 1,247 workers have been approved for the program, which is 62.0% of the annual target of 2,010.
The support is aimed at businesses with fewer than 30 employees that convert non-regular workers who have been employed for more than six months into full-time positions. Eligible businesses include priority support companies and medium-sized enterprises, with a maximum monthly subsidy of 600,000 won per worker for up to one year.
In terms of industry distribution, the health and social welfare sector accounted for the largest share at 29.7%, followed by manufacturing (15.5%), retail and wholesale (13.9%), scientific and technical services (7.5%), information and communication (6.5%), and business facility management (5.7%).
The Ministry noted that participating companies have benefited from the subsidies in securing young talent and improving working conditions. For instance, an IT company in a regional area converted four young workers to full-time status and raised their salaries by 250,000 won per month.
Another regional IT firm transitioned two young workers to full-time positions even after the conclusion of a research and development project. The government views these cases as evidence that the transition support program can contribute to securing skilled labor and enhancing job stability for workers, beyond merely subsidizing labor costs.
The regular employment transition support program also addresses the dual structure of the labor market. Non-regular workers often face significant disparities in job security, wages, and benefits compared to their full-time counterparts. Meanwhile, small and medium-sized enterprises frequently hesitate to convert workers to full-time status due to labor cost burdens. The government subsidies help alleviate these initial costs for businesses.
However, to ensure that the transition to full-time employment is not merely temporary, it is essential to maintain employment and improve wages and working conditions after the transition. Particularly for young workers to move into stable jobs, it is necessary to evaluate not only the number of transitions but also the duration of employment and improvements in working conditions.
The Ministry plans to continue supporting the transition to full-time employment in the second half of the year. Companies interested in participating can apply after consulting through the Employment 24 website or their nearest employment center.
Seo Myeong-seok, Director of Labor Standards Policy at the Ministry, stated, "Transitioning to full-time employment is an investment that enhances job security for workers and competitiveness for businesses. We will continue to strengthen support to reduce the burden on small and medium-sized enterprises and enable more workers, including young people, to secure stable jobs."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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