SME committee launched to promote work-life balance culture

Minister of SMEs and Startups Oh Young-joo poses for a commemorative photo with attendees at the launch ceremony of the “Work-Family Balance Committee for SMEs,” held at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the 13th. (Ministry of SMEs and Startups)

The Small and Medium Enterprises Work-Family Balance Committee was officially launched on Wednesday, comprising 19 organizations, including the Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ).

The inauguration ceremony, held at KBIZ headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, was attended by over 100 individuals, including Joo Hyung-hwan, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy; Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor; and Oh Young-joo, Minister of SMEs and Startups.

The committee, which also includes the Korea Management Innovation Small and Medium Business Association and the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprises, aims to discuss policy improvements to foster a work-family balance culture within SMEs.

During the subsequent meeting, SME representatives presented their concerns regarding work-family balance and requested that these be reflected in future government policies.

They proposed ensuring a smooth supply of substitute workers during parental leave and expanding support for employers, providing substantial financial assistance to small-scale businesses, and enhancing the promotion of work-family balance support systems.