Seoul announces plans for homeless

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced yesterday that it would offer 900 public jobs to the homeless as part of a comprehensive plan to help them socially rehabilitate.

About 500 posts will be divided among those 65 and older, the disabled and those who are ill. They will be tasked with cleaning facilities that serve the poor and the community, as well as with meal preparation.

The city government will compensate those workers 26,000 won ($25.50) for four hours of work per day. They will be allowed to work 15 days per month.

For those who are younger and healthier, Seoul is expected to create 400 new jobs, which will involve cleaning up public parks and facilities, managing green belts and supporting the welfare operations of the city. They will receive 43,000 won per day, for five days of work a week.

In a related move, the government will also open up a shared workplace in June near Seoul Station and Yeongdeungpo Station, where the homeless are known to gather. There, homeless workers will be in charge of simple manufacturing operations, such as the production of shopping bags.

Sixty people who prove to have a strong and sincere work ethnic will later be given a chance to run their own street market in collaboration with various companies.

BY SEO JI-EUN, JO SOO-MIN [enational@joongang.co.kr]