"Instead of Unusable Vacations, Practical Compensation"... Lee Ik-sung of Bupyeong District Council Critiques 'Token Welfare'

The Incheon Bupyeong District Council warned that various vacation systems introduced to boost the morale of public officials should not degenerate into a means to avoid 'vacation compensation payments'.

Lee Ik-sung, a member of the Bupyeong District Council (People Power Party·Bupyeong 2, 5, 6-dong, Bugae 1-dong, Ilshin-dong), pointed out the structural problems of the current vacation compensation and welfare systems during the major business report of the Administrative Welfare Committee at the 274th extraordinary session held on the 30th, urging a shift towards 'substantial benefits' in administration.

In his inquiry, he conveyed the voices from the field, stating, "Recently, the number of vacation types such as reward vacations and long service vacations has increased, but there are countless employees who cannot use their vacation days due to their workload."

He particularly questioned, "Even though employees who have not taken many days off should receive corresponding compensation, providing a uniform compensation of only five days regardless of the number of vacation days used is inequitable."

He continued, "Although vacation savings systems are in place, it is a reality that employees in overburdened departments find it difficult to use even their saved vacation days," emphasizing that instead of merely increasing vacation systems for show, implementing fair monetary compensation for unused vacation days would be a practical help to public officials.

He also made sharp criticisms regarding the outdated operation of welfare facilities. He inquired about the renewal of specific resort memberships whose contracts have expired and suggested considering the introduction of a 'lodging subsidy' system that meets the needs of residents and employees rather than maintaining resort memberships that are being neglected due to facility aging.

In response, the head of the Bupyeong District General Affairs Department stated, "Currently, due to financial conditions, it is difficult to immediately introduce lodging support systems implemented in other autonomous districts, but we will actively consider it when our financial situation improves."

Lee Ik-sung urged, "Public officials must be happy for quality administrative services to be delivered to residents," and requested, "Please boldly reorganize conventional welfare items and create a rational organizational culture where rewards are given in accordance with the hard work put in."