The Korean government said Monday it will help develop more day care centers at workplaces to aid working moms.

“On-site day care centers are the most preferred type of child care center for working moms. But due to a limited budget and strict rules on installment, only 39.1 percent of work sites have set up the centers,” said the officials.

The government’s plan is to increase the ratio to more than 70 percent by 2017. 

While there are more than 40,000 child care centers nationwide, only a few places allow working moms to leave their children without having to worry about working late. 

According to a 2012 survey about conditions at child care centers, parents gave 3.65 points out of 5 to private child care centers while those at work sites received 4.13 points. 

The reason for the difference was mainly due to the average operation hours: Private centers run for 11 hours and 47 minutes on a daily basis, while on-site day care centers operate for up to 12 hours and 36 minutes. 

The new policy aims to help bolster employee morale and reduce absenteeism.

“Building child care centers at workplaces is not only beneficial to female workers but it will be an ultimate investment to the company as well,” said Cho Yoon-sun, Minister of Gender Equality and Family. “There are no employees who will not work hard for a company that takes care of their children,” she said.

Jin Eun-soo, Intern reporter
(janna924@heraldcorp.com)