Muan-gun Establishes 'Comprehensive Measures' to Address Labor Shortage During Busy Farming Season

Proactive Response to Rural Labor Shortages Due to Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic

Onion harvesting is taking place at a farm in Hyeongyeong-myeon, Muan-gun. (Photo by Muan-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-ju] Muan County, the nation's largest production area for onions and garlic, is implementing a comprehensive plan to address labor shortages during the busy farming season as the harvest period approaches.

According to Muan County, a TF team has been formed to prepare manpower supply measures, and public and private sectors will collaborate to identify actionable tasks, with the plan set to be fully implemented starting next month.

This year, due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic making it difficult for foreign workers to enter and exit the country, and with the majority of farmers being elderly, it is expected that the labor shortage during the busy farming season will repeat as it did last year.

Therefore, the Rural Workforce Brokerage Center, which was only one at Muan Nonghyup last year, has been expanded to two by adding Iro Nonghyup. Additionally, administrative agencies and Nonghyup will operate support situation rooms and service desks for rural labor assistance, recruiting volunteer helpers to be assigned to small-scale farms with labor shortages, such as those run by elderly farmers.

Furthermore, to prevent excessive labor cost profiteering by manpower agencies employing illegal workers, administrative guidance and supervision will be strengthened, and follow-up management measures will be put in place.

County Governor Kim San said, “I hope everyone actively participates in volunteer activities to help farms struggling with labor shortages,” adding, “As the main farming season begins, we will do our best to ease farmers' worries by establishing more fundamental manpower supply measures and COVID-19 prevention plans.”

Meanwhile, last year, 211 volunteers from individuals and groups provided significant help in harvesting onions and garlic on small-scale farms.

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