난임치료 유급휴가 11월부터 ‘2일→4일’로…불이익 시 처벌도 강화

From November 27th, the paid maternity leave period for assisted reproductive treatment has increased from a maximum of 6 days to a minimum of 4 days. The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced the updated guidelines for the adoption of this leave system and exemplary cases through its publication "Guidelines on Utilization of Maternity Leave for Assisted Reproductive Treatment" on the 23rd.

The scope of use for this legally mandated leave, like other statutory holidays, has been expanded through amendments to labor laws and administrative interpretations. The period of coverage for this type of leave was expanded from the end of April this year to include the pre-treatment stages such as the necessary medical tests and procedures like embryo transfer.

The monthly salary ceiling has also been raised from ₩16,842,000 to ₩33,068,400. Starting from this same date, employers found to provide less favorable treatment to employees who utilize this leave may face up to three years of imprisonment or a fine of up to ₩300,000,000. Earlier this year, the labor ministry had also broadened the scope of this leave to include the pre-treatment stages.

The government's support for women seeking to extend their working years has become increasingly necessary as the age of first-time mothers continues to rise. The government's efforts to strengthen this support while fostering a work environment where employees can utilize these benefits without fear of retribution will continue.