The National Assembly is set to debate a proposal to give incentives to working mothers in employment with the government and state-run firms as part of steps to tackle the declining birthrate.

Rep. Shin Eui-jin from the ruling Saenuri Party submitted a bill to promote gender equality in employment and help women balance work and family life last December.

It demands that additional points within a range of 2 percent should be given to moms when seeking a job at government offices and some private organizations after leaving their previous one for pregnancy or child care reasons.

The proposed law stipulates beneficiaries should not surpass 20 percent of the total employment at a firm, and the number of times or the period for receiving the advantage should be limited.

According to 2011 statistics, around 19.3 percent or 1.9 million of 9.9 million married women aged 15-54 left their jobs due to childbirth or child care.

Shin said on a radio program Wednesday, “Those who contribute to society deserve rewards.

“I also support a bill that gives ex-service men advantages when they seek jobs,” the lawmaker added.

A law that grants advantages to discharged soldiers in employment was discarded in 1999 in the face of criticism over fairness. All able-bodied Korean men must serve in the military for at least 21 months.

There are many hurdles to the bills as critics took issue with fairness between men and women, and between fertile and infertile women.

Some lawmakers at the parliamentary committee for environment and labor who are currently reviewing the bill also said there are limits to verify whether women quit their jobs due to pregnancy or child care, and could cause discrimination against women who do not have work experience or used to work in a field where they cannot prove their work experience.

By Kim Young-won  (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)