Government Expands Mandatory Reemployment Support Services to Enhance Worker Choices

The government is set to gradually expand the scope of mandatory reemployment support services to enhance their effectiveness and introduce a worker-led transition support system.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on May 29 that it will issue a legislative notice regarding amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Prohibition of Age Discrimination in Employment and the Promotion of Employment for Older Persons by July 8. This amendment follows the announcement of measures to improve the reemployment support service system on May 14.

According to the proposed amendments, the current obligation to provide reemployment support services, which applies only to workplaces with over 1,000 employees, will be gradually expanded. Starting in the second half of 2027, the requirement will extend to businesses with more than 500 employees, and by the second half of 2029, it will include those with over 300 employees. This change is expected to improve access to reemployment support services for workers in medium-sized and small enterprises.

The operation of reemployment support services will also change. Previously, employers were responsible for directly providing career planning, job training, and employment placement services. In the future, if workers choose to participate in desired vocational training or transition programs, employers will be recognized as fulfilling their obligations by offering flexible work hours, granting leave, or providing financial support.

The ministry anticipates that this will allow workers to prepare for reemployment more autonomously, aligning with their individual skills and career paths. For employers, the reduced burden of directly managing programs is expected to encourage greater participation in the system.

With the increasing demand for reemployment among middle-aged and older workers due to changes in industrial structures and early retirements, this reform is viewed as a means to strengthen the labor market safety net. There is also a growing recognition of the need for tailored support linked to vocational training in digital and new industries, moving beyond simple job placement services.

Kwon Jin-ho, Director of the Integrated Employment Policy Bureau, stated, "This amendment is designed to expand the mandatory reemployment support services while enhancing their effectiveness through worker-led participation. We will improve the system so that employers can provide services more easily, and workers can engage in reemployment support services that match their individual characteristics."