At Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Premier Cho Jung-tai received a Ministry of Labor (MOL) report on a plan to support more flexible use of parental leave without pay. The premier said that the plan provides employees with greater workplace flexibility, including the option to apply for parental leave without pay in single-day units. This enables parents to care for their children without having to leave their jobs, thereby increasing workforce retention.
Premier Cho pointed out that micro- and small enterprises may encounter significant challenges under the new plan due to staffing and cost constraints. In response, the MOL is planning to offer incentives that encourage employers to establish more family-friendly work environments. The premier instructed the MOL to proactively complete the necessary legal and administrative preparations to ensure that the relevant funding and allowances are ready for the plan's expected launch on January 1 next year.