The government plans to inject nearly three trillion won into small companies in a bid to lessen their burden resulting from a rise in the minimum wage next year. 

The decision was made at a meeting of economy-related ministers, chaired by Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon, on Thursday. 

Under the plan, government subsidies of up to 130-thousand won will be provided for one year to each employee of a business that has less than 30 workers with employment insurance.
 
The plan targets workers whose monthly pay is less than one-point-nine million won and have been on the job for more than a month as of the day of requesting the subsidies.
 
Kim said in a briefing following the meeting that income-led growth requires improvements in earned income, adding that a rise in minimum wage marks the start of such improvements.
 
He said that income polarization between households and businesses as well as among households must no longer be neglected. He said income polarization leads to polarization in consumption, restrains domestic demand and weighs heavily on growth.
 
Kim made clear that the latest plan on stabilizing employment will be carried out on a temporary basis.