Gov't hopes work scheme will boost female employment

SEOUL, Dec. 23 (Yonhap) -- The government plans to expand flexible work schemes
to create more jobs for women, a senior official said Wednesday.

Finance Minister Yoon Jeung-hyun told a meeting of economic policymakers the
government will consider offering various tax subsidies and other incentives to
companies that allow flexible work schedules for their employees.
Rigid and long hours along with a general shortage of daycare centers have been
cited for hindering employment opportunities for women with children. This has
also affected the country's birthrate, currently one of the lowest in the world.
"The time is right to adopt flexible work hours," Yoon said, "and efforts should
be made to encourage local companies to adopt this system."
The minister also cautioned that the nation could continue to face economic
challenges in 2010 despite signs that the worldwide economy is making a gradual
comeback. He stressed that the government's main goal in the new year is to
create more jobs.
Yoon said there is always the risk of another "Dubai crisis" breaking out, and
that the current rise in raw material and energy prices could hurt growth.
The Ministry of Strategy and Finance forecast earlier this month that the
country's gross domestic product will grow around 5 percent annually in the new
year from a gain of just 0.2 percent in 2009.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)