Gyeonggi Province to Provide 230,000 Won per Person in Sick Leave Income Compensation to Vulnerable Workers

Suwon NewsPublished 2020.06.15 06:10

Province and 31 cities/counties to accept applications from the 15th through December 11‥applications accepted after test results releasedTargets part-time workers under 40 hours per week, daily wage workers, special-form workers, and caregiversPayment in local currency‥supporting approximately 14,000 people

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hoon] Gyeonggi Province will provide 230,000 won per person in sick leave income compensation so that vulnerable workers such as daily wage workers can undergo medical check-ups with peace of mind without worrying about their livelihoods when they show suspected COVID-19 symptoms.

Gyeonggi Province announced that it will implement the ‘Sick Leave Income Compensation Support for Vulnerable Workers’ with 31 cities and counties, beginning to accept applications from the 15th.

This measure is part of the ‘Support Plan for Vulnerable Workers and Small Business Operators Subject to Administrative Orders in the Face of Prolonged COVID-19 Crisis’ jointly announced by Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung and the Gyeonggi Mayors and Governors Association through an emergency press conference on the 4th.

As seen in the Bucheon Coupang logistics center case, for daily wage workers, their daily wages are directly linked to their livelihoods, so the reality is that even if they show suspected COVID-19 symptoms, they cannot easily get medical check-ups or rest but must go to work.

The problem is that people with infection symptoms inevitably contact an unspecified number of people, which could result in the spread of community infection. Accordingly, a decision was made to provide this sick leave income compensation so that vulnerable workers can quickly undergo testing and block the spread early.

The support targets vulnerable workers in the province who underwent diagnostic testing due to suspected COVID-19 symptoms after June 4th and self-quarantined until notification of test results, including part-time workers working under 40 hours per week, daily wage workers, special-form workers, and caregivers.

The application period runs from the 15th through December 11th. Applicants can submit required documents including an application form, ID copy, a commitment regarding self-quarantine compliance and prevention of improper benefit receipt, and qualification verification documents through email, mail, or in-person to their respective city or county of residence.

However, applicants must undergo diagnostic testing based on medical staff guidance through a public health center or screening clinic and can only apply after receiving a ‘negative’ test result. In the case of in-person applications, to prevent COVID-19 spread, applications are possible only after 14 days have passed from the testing date.

Those who underwent diagnostic testing without medical staff guidance are excluded from support, and confirmed COVID-19 cases receive ‘COVID-19 Emergency Living Expenses’, so this compensation is not provided to prevent double benefits. After document review, compensation will be provided in the form of local currency or prepaid cards.

Governor Lee Jae-myung stated regarding this measure on his SNS on the 4th: “Unable to rest even when sick, unable to abandon dangerous work, and the reality that these people must work not just one or two jobs but three, ” adding “While proactive and bold quarantine measures are important, I will work carefully with all 31 cities and counties to ensure the most vulnerable people and areas are properly supported.”

For more details, inquiries can be made through the Gyeonggi Province Call Center (031-120) or city/county offices.

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