The current Act allows childcare leave and reduced working hours for the period of childcare to be used only within 1 year by employees if they file for them to raise their children aged 8 and less or second grade and lower in elementary school.

However, public officials can use childcare leave and reduced working hours for the period of childcare within 3 years and 2 years, respectively, which raises the issue of fairness. Plus, their career break during the period of childcare is longer than that of employees in the private sector, which calls for action.

Under the current Act, fertility treatment leave can be filed for 3 days. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, however, 52.9% of those receiving fertility treatment spent more than 21 days for such treatment. Some argue that fertility treatment leave must be expanded to 3 weeks, and time for a healthcare visit must be allowed for employees considering childbirth to promote support for fertility treatment.

In this regard, this Act aims to expand childcare leave and reduced working hours for the period of childcare to within 3 years and 2 years just like public officials, impose fines if the period of childcare is not included in the period of employees’ continuous service, and allow time for a healthcare visit if filed by employees for fertility treatment and other reasons to encourage childbirth and help to find a balance between work and home (Article 18-4 newly inserted, and Articles 19, 19-2, and 37).

Article 18-3 (Fertility Treatment Leave)

Article 18-3 (Support for Fertility Treatment, etc.)

Article 19 (Childcare Leave)

Article 19-2 (Reduced Working Hours for Period of Childcare)