Gyeonggi-do Provincial Council "Inadequate Fertility Treatment Leave System for Provincial Affiliated Institutions..."We need to expand support."

In an administrative audit of the provincial planning and coordination office conducted by the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, it was pointed out that the system for supporting infertility procedures in the public sector, such as affiliated organizations, is insufficient and needs to be improved.

Lee Kyung-hye, vice chairman of the provincial council's planning and finance committee, said, "The provincial government is giving three days of special leave to infertile couples among its employees through the revision of the ordinance, but the provincial government's agency has insufficient leave system," and stressed, "In order to solve the problem of low birth rate, we need to expand support for infertile couples who cannot have children even if they want to."

According to the data surveyed by Vice Chairman Lee, public officials belonging to the provincial and provincial councils can use paid leave as special leave for infertility procedures is specified in local government service regulations and related ordinances.

However, most of the 28 affiliated organizations do not have special leave regulations related to infertility at all, or even if they do, they are not at the level of practical benefits.

Special leave for infertility procedures is only allowed three days a year for institution A and one day for institution B on the day of the procedure.

As a result, most employees of affiliated organizations are receiving infertility procedures using sick leave or annual leave.

Vice Chairman Lee suggested that the special leave system for infertility should be stipulated in the operating regulations of the affiliated institution, while expanding support for infertility procedures is also necessary.

Vice Chairman Lee said, "The total birth rate in Gyeonggi-do is 0.77 and 1 out of 7 couples give birth to a child through infertility procedures," adding, "Some regions, including Jeonnam, provide full support to infertile couples without restrictions such as the number of procedures or age, and Gyeonggi-do Province should also come up with measures to expand such infertility support."