The supplementary budget allocation increased the budget of the Ministry of Employment and Labor by approximately 1.6 trillion won compared to before. The budget was mainly increased for projects aimed at alleviating employment crises in the construction and manufacturing sectors and for unemployment benefits and national employment support.
On the 19th, the government noted that it had increased the budget under the Ministry of Employment and Labor by 1.5837 trillion won through the deliberation and resolution of the supplementary budget at the State Council meeting. The total budget for the Ministry of Employment and Labor this year, including the first and second supplementary budgets, is expected to increase by about 2 trillion won from the original budget (35.3452 trillion won) to 37.2092 trillion won.
Most of the Ministry of Employment and Labor's supplementary budget is used for "enhancing unemployment benefit budgets" to support the livelihood of unemployed individuals with unstable incomes. First, considering the increase in the number of unemployment benefit recipients primarily in the construction and manufacturing industries, the budget for unemployment benefits was increased by 1.2929 trillion won. The number of beneficiaries of unemployment benefits also increased by approximately 190,000, from the previous 1,611,000 to 1,798,000.
The budget for the "National Employment Support System," which provides tailored employment support for vulnerable groups, was increased by 165.2 billion won, raising the number of beneficiaries from 305,000 to 360,000. The National Employment Support project aims to assist unemployed individuals from low-income backgrounds and youth who are not covered by employment insurance.
To support youth employment, the budget for vocational training aimed at 3rd-year general high school students was also increased by 16 billion won. The number of beneficiaries was raised from 5,180 to 7,000. Additionally, 2 billion won was allocated for job fairs and employment programs outside the capital region, and the budget for the "consortium training" project, which provides vocational training for youth employed or expected to be employed at local small and medium enterprises, was expanded by 10.1 billion won.
The rights of workers who have not received their wages and low-income workers have been strengthened. The scale of the "support loan for wage arrears settlement," which provides low-interest loans to employers willing to settle wage arrears and to workers with unpaid wages, is being expanded, and the interest rate will be lowered for a limited period of three months.
In addition, 25.8 billion won will be allocated for the "DuruNuri" project (supporting 80% of national pension and employment insurance for low-wage workers, artists, and labor providers) to assist small businesses, and an additional 12.8 billion won will be provided for investments in equipment to prevent heat waves, such as portable air conditioners. Furthermore, 12.8 billion won and 45 billion won will be earmarked for maternity leave support for special types of workers (such as delivery drivers) and self-employed individuals, respectively, to increase the number of beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the supplementary budget passed by the State Council will be submitted to the National Assembly on the 23rd for final approval.