Reduces lunch cost burden for workers… Government promotes 'Substantial Lunch for Workers' project

As the cost of living continues to rise, many office workers are complaining that it has become difficult to have a proper meal during lunchtime.

For instance, the price of a bowl of soup used to range from 6,000 to 7,000 won, but now most places charge well over 10,000 won.

According to the mobile meal voucher service company, SikSin, the average lunch cost for workers was 10,096 won per person in the first quarter of 2024. In Seoul, this figure was 10,798 won.

To save money, some workers opt for convenience store lunch boxes or instant noodles for one or two days a week.

To alleviate the financial burden of meal costs for these workers, the government will launch the 'Substantial Lunch for Workers' initiative as early as next year.

According to a report by Korean Economic Daily on the 26th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs recently presented the 'Substantial Lunch for Workers' project plan to the National Planning Committee.

This project was suggested by Prime Minister candidate Kim Min-seok during a meeting with the food industry on June 13, and its core mission is to provide lunch to workers in regional industrial complexes at lower prices than market rates.

At the time, candidate Kim stated, "In continuation of the Democratic Party and Lee Jae-myung government's efforts to address issues like '1,000-won breakfast for university students' and 'five-day lunch for seniors at community centers', the 'Substantial Lunch for Workers' could develop into a three-part set. We must advance policies that resolve the lives and meals of citizens, including students, seniors, and workers."

Expected benefits include reduced meal costs and improved working conditions.

The government plans to subsidize 1,000 to 2,000 won for lunch costs per worker, with local governments and companies also contributing 1,000 to 2,000 won each. This means that the lunch cost burden for workers could be reduced by about 3,000 to 6,000 won.

Once implemented, designated restaurants near regional industrial complexes will be able to offer dishes like pork bulgogi sets worth 10,000 won for prices between 4,000 to 7,000 won.

The government intends to initially conduct a pilot project targeting workers in regional industrial complexes, gradually expanding it afterward.

Alongside the 'Substantial Lunch for Workers' project, the government also plans to advance a worker-version of the '1,000-won breakfast' initiative, which will provide affordable breakfast to workers in regional industrial complexes.

Through these two projects, the government expects to reduce the meal cost burden for workers while simultaneously boosting domestic rice consumption.

The government anticipates that this initiative will invigorate the sluggish rice market and contribute to revitalizing the local economy through increased sales for regional restaurants. Restaurants near industrial complexes should be able to secure stable customers, aiding in their operational stabilization.

A government official stated to the Korean Economic Daily, "We plan to officially promote the 'Substantial Lunch for Workers' project, which has received significant attention from Prime Minister candidate Kim Min-seok," adding, "The project could commence as early as next year."

However, there are critical views regarding taxpayer-funded meals for workers. With local elections approaching next year, there are concerns that it could be seen as a populist policy, raising worries about financial burdens.

Image sources: Reference photos for understanding the article / jtbc 'Miss Hammurabi', reference photos for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank, students having breakfast with '1,000-won breakfast' at Korea University's student hall in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on March 29, 2023. 2024.3.29 / News1, Kim Min-seok, Prime Minister candidate / News1