Investigation on Wage Arrears and Assaults of Foreign Crew Members Until the 28th

"Illegal Fee Collection, etc. Punished in Collaboration with Coast Guard if Necessary
Guidance for Correction upon Confirmation of Non-Submission of Standard Work Plan or Wage Arrears"

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on the 2nd that from the 3rd to the 28th, a joint labor-management-government investigation will be conducted on the working conditions of foreign fishermen, including wage arrears and assault. Considering that 48% of domestic fishermen on vessels over 20 tons are foreigners, it was deemed necessary to improve their working conditions.

The inspection will focus on coastal and deep-sea fishing vessels (shipping companies), workplaces, and accommodations for foreign fishermen, where the number of foreign crew members is high. Inspection teams will be formed by the fishermen's labor unions, shipowner organizations, and maritime police stations under 11 regional maritime affairs and fisheries offices to check the appropriateness of labor contracts, wage arrears, and cases of assault. To enhance the effectiveness of the investigation, in-depth interviews and confidential meetings will be conducted using questionnaires written in the native languages of the foreign workers with the support of foreign language interpreters. According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, as of 2019, 48% (13,901 out of 28,936) of fishermen on domestic vessels over 20 tons are foreigners.

The Ministry plans to restrict companies found to have excessive dispatch costs or illegal fee collections from assigning foreign crew members. If necessary, strict punishment will be enforced in cooperation with related agencies such as the maritime police. If failure to prepare standard labor contracts or wage arrears are confirmed, immediate corrective guidance will be provided. Since January, it has been mandatory to prepare standard labor contracts written in both Korean and the local language, including provisions on wage payment dates, wage levels, guaranteed rest times, and prohibition of various fee deductions, so contract situations will be thoroughly inspected.

Kim Seok-hoon, Director of the Seafarer Policy Division at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "The proportion of foreign fishermen on vessels over 20 tons is increasing every year, reaching 48%. Both the industry and the fishermen must strive to provide appropriate working environments for foreign fishermen, and the government will also work to improve their working conditions and welfare."

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