Gyeonggi Province Offers Emergency Support to Rubber, Plastic, and Textile Workers Amidst High Oil Prices

Gyeonggi Province is launching an emergency support program for workers in the rubber, plastic, and textile manufacturing industries who are struggling with the impact of the Middle East situation and rising global prices. The "Gyeonggi Province Crisis Industry Job Support Project" aims to provide a lifeline to employees in these sectors, which are particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in petrochemical raw material and shipping costs.

The provincial government secured 1 billion won in national funds through the Ministry of Employment and Labor's "Beateum-ieum Project" to implement this initiative. The support targets workers in small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 300 employees. Each eligible worker will receive a 500,000 won subsidy, paid in local currency, to encourage long-term employment. A total of 1,700 workers are expected to benefit from this program.

To qualify, applicants must have been employed by the same company since January 1, 2024, and fall within the bottom 70% of income earners. The selection process will consider income level (50 points), number of dependents (30 points), and company size (20 points). Successful applicants will be notified after August, with payments scheduled for August and September. The province anticipates that this measure will help retain skilled labor in crisis industries and foster a virtuous cycle of local economic consumption through the use of local currency.