[단독]Controversy over congratulation cash for staff who declared ‘non-marriage’ in public establishments

There are a lot of opposing views, equivalent to “Company banking unions say they need to get advantages even when they do not marry” or “Will it encourage low start charges?”

Not too long ago, as increasingly more personal firms have launched the so-called ‘non-marriage present’, which provides cash to workers who declare to be single, such requests are additionally being raised by the labor unions of public establishments, inflicting controversy. There are conflicting views, with advocates saying ‘celibacy is a human selection that ought to be revered like marriage and childbearing’, and counter arguments saying ‘it isn’t fascinating in a rustic with an ultra-low start fee of 0.6 individuals’. .

In line with the finance division on the twenty second, the Korean Industrial Financial institution IBK union determined to ask administration to pay non-marriage charges to executives and workers who lately declared that they weren’t married. . Administration intends to contemplate the union’s calls for. This financial institution gives paid holidays and congratulatory cash to married workers, and that is in response to the suggestion made by some union members that “workers who’ve co- shut with out being married to obtain advantages equal to marriage.” IBK Industrial Financial institution, a government-run financial institution, is one other public establishment wherein the Ministry of Technique and Finance owns greater than 50% of the shares.

An official from the IBK Industrial Financial institution of Korea labor union mentioned, “With the intention to introduce a non-marital allowance, troublesome procedures, equivalent to approval from the Ministry of Technique and Finance, have to be adopted, however plainly the t -union has determined to take action. It’s price contemplating how the altering perspective in direction of marriage and childbearing is.”

Alternatively, there are considerations that ‘the federal government and corporations, which ought to be on the forefront of fixing the issue of low start charges, could possibly be seen as encouraging celibacy.’ Hong Seok-cheol, a professor of economics at Seoul Nationwide College who was a standing member of the President’s Committee on Low Start Fee and an Ageing Society, mentioned, “Now could be the time to contemplate unconventional insurance policies equivalent to ‘100 million gained in childbirth. incentives” that might result in a rise in births moderately than a mechanical stability between celibacy, marriage and childbearing.” “He mentioned.

Controversy over ‘non-marital present cash’… “It is unfair to solely give married individuals a selection” vs. “Does it encourage low start charges?”

Some massive firms present help for congratulations and condolences, and so forth.
Speaking concerning the introduction of company finance and public establishments for the primary time
“Reflection of the instances” vs “Coverage change” combined
Spotlight “the necessity for social consensus amongst residents”

“You should not lose an organization profit simply since you do not plan to get married or have a child.” (Mr. Jeon, 28, 2-year workplace employee) “Does not the corporate promote the low start fee already?” (4-year-old employee getting ready to provide start) Workplace employee Mr. Kim, 32, feminine)

A rising variety of firms are organising a ‘non-marriage present’ system which provides advantages to workers who say they aren’t married, however the views of younger workplace staff on this are combined. Though some argue that it is a pure pattern as a result of improve within the variety of workplace staff from the technology MZ (Millennials + Technology Z), who don’t pay a lot consideration to marriage and childbirth and ‘respect ‘equity’, then again, firms that ought to be on the forefront of fixing the issue with a low start fee encourage celibacy.

● “We should respect the selection to not be married” vs. “We have to deal with baby start help”

On this scenario, the dispute is predicted to unfold to public establishments because the labor union of IBK Industrial Financial institution, one other public establishment, has determined to ask the administration to pay help cash to executives and workers who’ve confirmed that they aren’t married. If the corporate accepts this, it will likely be the primary case of a public establishment that gives non-marital charges. An official from the IBK Enterprise Financial institution mentioned, “We’re ready to see if an official agenda can be posted. “

Personal firms equivalent to LG U+, NH Funding & Securities, and KB Securities are already offering subsidies and paid depart to workers who’ve been informed to not marry. Nevertheless, opinions are divided even throughout the firm. Mr. Kim (26), who has labored at an organization with a celibacy system for 2 years, mentioned, “Workers are very glad as a result of they really feel that their particular person decisions are revered .” He mentioned, “We’re additionally good advantages associated to the start of youngsters, so they are saying that (non-marriage) goes in opposition to the instances.” “It is onerous to see,” he mentioned.

Alternatively, Mr. Lee (29), a first-year worker at one other firm, mentioned, “If we turn out to be a society the place celibacy is accepted as a given, what is going to we do to pay for it?” for the ‘ultra-low. “It is time to consider it,” he mentioned. As a substitute, some instructed that firms ought to deal with help for marriage and childbirth, equivalent to extending childcare depart or growing maternity subsidies.

● Cease help for maternity merchandise, cancel child congratulation… “Response again to low start fee”

Within the public sector, there have been circumstances the place advantages for marriage and childbirth have been diminished, equivalent to stopping help for maternity merchandise, resulting in criticism that that is ‘contradictory’ response to the low start fee’. Beginning this 12 months, the Authorities Workers Pension Service has suspended its help challenge for the availability of maternity preparations for public servants who’re pregnant and giving start. The explanation was that the variety of beneficiaries decreased because of the decline within the start fee, and the demand for traditional welfare in keeping with the life cycle turned extra various. The Company introduced, “Starting this 12 months, we plan to transition to work-family stability and childcare/childcare applications (as an alternative of offering product help).

On this regard, Mr. Park (26), a neighborhood civil servant, mentioned, “The civil servant group remains to be conservative, so I do not suppose they’ll use it comfortably even when a brand new program is launched . Alternatively, Mr. Kim (28) mentioned, “It’s a resolution that displays the adjustments of the instances inside a restricted finances,” and added, “It isn’t an issue as a result of tasks to help girls who’re getting ready for childbirth are being promoted on the authorities stage.”

On account of monetary burden, Gwangju Metropolis canceled the birthday congratulatory present of 1 million gained for households born final 12 months. On the time, feedback have been posted on the Gwangju childcare cafe, equivalent to, “Is it clever to all of a sudden abort when it’s anticipated to be born quickly? ” and “ Why is Gwangju alone going backwards That is an excessive amount of .”

The outlook for the home start fee is unclear. In line with the Ministry of Public Administration and Safety, the variety of youngsters registered as born in Korea final month was 20,087, a slight improve from the identical month final 12 months (18,287). It has been 15 months since final January that the variety of youngsters registered at start elevated in comparison with the identical month final 12 months. Nevertheless, throughout the authorities, it’s believed that this phenomenon is just a short lived rebound and that it’s troublesome for the start fee to return till the top of this 12 months. It’s because the variety of marriages within the second half of final 12 months (July to December) has decreased in comparison with the identical interval in 2022.

Specialists identified that there’s a want for a social consensus on selling marriage and childbearing and supporting non-marriage, equivalent to celibacy. Lee Sang-rim, a senior researcher on the Inhabitants Coverage Analysis Middle at Seoul Nationwide College, mentioned, “Conflicts arose when techniques have been first launched with out reaching a consensus on non- marriage,” he mentioned, “Not solely the general public but additionally the general public. the world should talk and produce a social consensus. ” he mentioned.

Reporter Lee Soo-yeon lotus@donga.com
Reporter Lee Sang-hwan payback@donga.com