The government is pushing for a plan to give up to nine million won, or about 78-hundred U.S. dollars, to young people if they work at a small and medium-sized enterprise(SMEs) for at least two years.

During a joint meeting on Wednesday, the government and the ruling Saenuri Party discussed implementing the plan beginning in July as a way to increase jobs for young people and women.

Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Ki-kweon said the measure will be able to relieve pressure on youths seeking jobs while easing the chronic shortage of workers at SMEs.

Initially, the government and the Saenuri plan to allocate 30 billion won and provide financial assistance to ten-thousand young employees working at SMEs. They plan to expand the number of beneficiaries to 50-thousand later.

The government and the ruling party also agreed to push for extending the period in which college graduates have to pay off student loans as well as lower interest rates.

Regarding maternity and paternity leaves, Minister Lee said the government will try to make it easier for young employees to take time off work even during pregnancy. He also said the government will expand maternity or paternity benefits at SMEs.