The Labor Policy Council on Thursday proposed relaxing conditions for nonregular workers to receive unemployment benefits.

The advisory body to the labor minister outlined the proposal at a time when companies are accelerating moves to dismiss nonregular workers as they struggle to survive the deepening economic downturn by cutting payrolls.

Nonregular workers with expected employment of six months or longer should be eligible for unemployment and other labor benefits, down from one year or longer under the current system, according to a report compiled by the council's subcommittee tasked with studying an overhaul of the nation's employment insurance system.