Seoul, December 3 (IANS). South Korea has formulated a policy to solve population related problems. Under this, by 2030, 70 percent of fathers will be able to take leave to take care of their children.
The South Korean government is bringing a major change in the rate of taking parental leave. In this, 70 percent fathers can take leave to take care of their children. These steps are being taken to deal with population related challenges.
Let us tell you that in 2022, only 6.8 percent fathers went on leave.
The data shows the proportion of people taking parental leave with children aged eight or under.
This latest announcement comes amid changes to the parental leave policy from next year.
Currently both mother and father can take leave of up to one year, which can be divided into three periods.
However, the total parental leave period can be extended to 18 months starting in February, divided into four periods.
In addition, the compensation limit for parents taking leave from work will be increased from the current 1.5 million won to 2.5 million won per month for the first three months of their leave.
Monthly compensation will gradually reduce to 2 million won for the next three months and 1.6 million won for the next six months. The detailed amount will vary depending on the ordinary wages of the workers.
The country aims to reduce the proportion of women facing childbirth-related career interruptions to 10 percent by 2030.
The government is working on a number of measures to address the country’s chronic demographic challenges, including the world’s lowest birth rate.
The committee said the government has already taken action for 143 out of 151 related works till November.
The total fertility rate, which reflects the average number of births expected in a woman’s lifetime, stood at 0.76 in the third quarter, well below the 2.1 births per woman needed to maintain a stable population.
The government plans to rapidly increase the fertility rate by 2030.
“We have formulated several policies, including offering short-term parental leave, increasing the monthly subsidy limit and allowing men to take leave if their spouse is pregnant,” said a committee official.
The government also plans to support fertility testing for 210,000 people in 2027, up from 80,000 in 2022.
–IANS
MKS/CBT