By Bae Ji-sook
The government said Tuesday it will invest about 76 trillion won ($67 million) over the next five years to finance diverse measures designed to raise the birthrate to the OECD average of 1.7 per couple by 2020 from the current 1.15.
The package of measures, going into effect from next year if approved at the National Assembly, focuses on sharing the socioeconomic burden of young couples to encourage them to have more children, Health and Welfare Minister Chin Soo-hee said.
“The current low birthrate is below the population replacement rate for our aging society. We have focused on the needs of working mothers, the largest demographic of fertile women who are mostly reluctant to have babies because of their occupations,” Chin said.
According to the “Saeromaji (welcome the newborns) Plan,” working moms will be paid 40 percent of their salary capped at 500,000 won a month during their maternity leave. Women who do not use the leave will be able to work from home or use “flextime” — flexible working hours — and fathers will be able to take one week of paternity leave.
Newlyweds with less than 35 million won in combined annual income will be granted a loan to rent a house and will be the first to be considered for vacancies of cheaper housing.
Fees for in vitro fertilization will be supported up to three times for couples that have trouble conceiving. Currently, they are covered for one session, up to 1.5 million won.
To boost women’s employment rates, non-permanent workers who become pregnant during their contract terms will be able to ask their employers for an extension. The government will provide various incentives to companies who renew the contracts of such employees.
The government will designate a female quota for national university professors at 16 percent by 2015 and high ranking civil servants in regional areas to 9.6 percent. Currently, 8.1 percent of local public officials and 12.8 percent of professors are women.
According to their parent’s income level, seventy percent of children will have their childcare center or kindergarten fees paid.
To show particular support for “multicultural” families, the government has decided to subsidize all children from multiracial couples. The plan is expected to benefit 6,000 additional children nationwide.
The plan reflects the government’s desperation to curb the low birthrate, which could eventually threaten future productivity and national competitiveness.
Only 445,000 babies were born last year, about half the 860,000 of 1981.
On the other end of the population, the ministry will also cover the cost for artificial teeth, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis for those over 75 years old. More jobs will be created for elderly people and for those who live on their own will be looked after by related professionals.
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