The current Act stipulates that where a male worker requests leave on grounds of his spouse's childbirth, the employer shall grant leave for at least three and up to five days, of which the first three days shall be paid leave.

However, it is necessary to extend the period of paternity leave to improve work-life balance by encouraging male workers to be involved in child care.

Accordingly, the Amendment extends the period such that paternity leave shall be granted for at least five and up to ten days, of which the first five days shall be paid leave, and prescribes that paternity leave benefits shall be paid in accordance with the Employment Insurance Act, thereby aiming to encourage male workers to take paternity leave (Article 18-2, paragraph 1; Article 39, paragraph 2, subparagraph 3).

Note

This Amendment rests on the premise that the “Partial Amendment to the Employment Insurance Act” (Bill no. 12846), represented and proposed by National Assembly Member Park Kwang-on, is passed by Parliament. If the bill is not passed or is passed with modification, this Amendment shall be adjusted accordingly.

Where a male worker requests leave on grounds of his spouse’s childbirth, the employer shall grant leave of at least five and up to ten days (Article 18-2).