Five-day paternity leave guaranteed

From as early as next year, people whose spouses give birth will be able to use paid-paternity leave for up to five days.

Those who need to look after their sick family members will be also guaranteed 90 days of non-paid leave, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said Thursday.

The measure is part of the revision of the Act of Gender Equality Employment and Support, which the ministry seeks to submit to the National Assembly.

According to the revision, fathers will be able to use paid paternity leave for up to five days, compared to the current three-day unpaid leave. Those who do not use the holiday will not be compensated.

Women who suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth will be able to use up to 30 days of leave for recovery.

Unpaid child care leave will be guaranteed to temporary and dispatched workers, too, which is an extension from the current leave system for regular workers. Workers will also be able to apply for flexitime, while employers may not refuse the application except for very limited circumstances.

Workers who have sick relatives to care for will be able to take up to 90 days off. The holiday is allowed for up to 30 days a session. The employers will not be able to refuse the leave, either.

The revision is expected to come into force next year after winning an approval from the National Assembly. It is part of a series of measures too boost the birth rate that was announced last October.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)