During Peak Farming Season, Foreign Workers' Visits Drop Sharply... COVID-19 Emergency in Farms

Due to COVID-19, some countries imposed lockdowns delaying foreign workers' entry
Average elderly population in rural areas nationwide is 46.4%... Reliance on foreign seasonal workers
UN: "Foreign workers play a key role in global agriculture... Shortages may lead to food price increases"

Foreign seasonal worker working in a cabbage field / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] #Im Mo (56), who farms potatoes in Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, recently found himself in a dilemma. The potato planting season has passed, but this year it has been extremely difficult to find foreign workers. Im said, "We are mobilizing the whole family to work, but the workforce is far from enough compared to the amount of work," expressing his anxiety, "I’m worried that we might miss the farming season."

Farms nationwide are struggling with labor shortages during the busy farming season. Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the entry of foreign seasonal workers has stopped, creating a gap in labor. Some warn that if farming is not done on time and production decreases, a food shortage crisis could occur.

This year, the Ministry of Justice assigned a total of 4,797 foreign seasonal workers to 48 cities and counties. Among them, 1,404 workers are scheduled to enter and be assigned to farms in 11 cities and counties in Gangwon-do. However, as COVID-19 spread worldwide, some countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Kyrgyzstan imposed lockdowns, delaying the entry of seasonal workers by several months.

Foreign workers hold an essential position in Korean farms. This is because most rural areas are entering a super-aged society, causing labor shortages.

According to last year’s Statistics Korea 'Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Survey,' the average elderly population ratio in rural areas nationwide reached 46.4%. Accordingly, rural areas rely on seasonal workers who obtain short-term work visas and work only during specific seasons. Last year, the number of seasonal workers who worked in rural areas nationwide approached 48,300.

On April 4, 2016, a farmer is working alone covering plastic in a rural village on the outskirts of Chuncheon-si, Gangwon. / Photo by Yonhap News

Given this situation, concerns have arisen that if foreign workers are not supplied on time and farming cannot be carried out, prices of vegetables and fruits will skyrocket. On the 15th, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization explained, "In developed countries, foreign workers play a major role in the global food system," adding, "Labor shortages caused by COVID-19 could severely impact agricultural value chains and market prices."

Some developed countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom are overcoming rural labor shortages by accepting large numbers of foreign workers or connecting unemployed domestic citizens affected by COVID-19 lockdowns with farms.

According to the British media 'Financial Times' on the 13th, the German federal government decided on the 2nd to allow the entry of about 80,000 foreign seasonal workers. However, all seasonal workers must enter through airports, undergo health checks immediately upon arrival, and be separated from German workers for two weeks. Germany is known to employ about 286,000 seasonal workers annually.

Meanwhile, the UK government operates a service connecting urban unemployed people with rural farms. The 'pick for Britain' program, which helps unemployed people find farm jobs, has recruited about 30,000 applicants so far.

On the 13th, county office officials in Yanggu, Gangwon Province, carried out volunteer activities to help farmers facing labor shortages due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). / Photo by Yonhap News

Domestically, the government temporarily allows seasonal work for foreigners who cannot engage in employment activities and supports farms with labor shortages by establishing Rural Labor Brokerage Centers that connect job seekers with rural areas.

Earlier, from the 30th of last month, the government temporarily permitted seasonal agricultural work for 57,688 foreigners residing in Korea on F-1 visas. The F-1 visa is mainly issued to people staying in Korea to visit family or relatives. Additionally, for foreign workers who came with employment permits, the government plans to arrange short-term agricultural work for 3,925 job seekers waiting for employment who wish to change workplaces.

Moreover, the number of Rural Labor Brokerage Centers, which was only about 70, has been expanded to 100 by adding 30 more centers.

An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, "During the busy farming season, there can be a temporary surge in labor demand, causing short-term labor shortages," adding, "Some areas with a shortage of seasonal workers are experiencing temporary difficulties."

He continued, "To resolve this, we are expanding labor brokerage centers to support farms with manpower, and military personnel and local government officials are also directly helping farms."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.