Issue Work-family balance support and shared replacement staffing for SMEs

Summary

The workforce structure and employment conditions of SMEs limit how well work-family balance schemes operate. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has been expanding SME support by raising replacement staffing grants and grants for the extra workload during parental leave. The report proposes joint replacement workforce pools run by region or industry and expanded through private staffing organisations and women whose careers were interrupted. Firms that introduce flexible work for parents of young children would receive strong incentives, and a culture of taking parental leave without fear of disapproval would be fostered. The expected effect is better quality of life for SME workers, fewer career interruptions and help in overcoming the low birth rate crisis.