Imsil-gun Introduces Foreign Seasonal Workers to Alleviate Farm Labor Shortage

Published 09 Jun.2022 14:31(KST)

[Imsil=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Nosik] Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk, has officially launched the Sim Min-pyo Agricultural Policy, including the introduction of foreign seasonal workers, to support local farms facing great difficulties due to aging population and labor shortages.

On the 9th, the county announced that it held a welcoming ceremony and basic training for foreign seasonal workers for the first half of 2022 at the county office's farmer education center, attended by about 50 people including county officials, seasonal workers, and employers.

At the welcoming ceremony, attended by County Governor Sim Min, County Council Chairman Jin Nam-geun, and Osu Gwanchon Nonghyup President Jeong Cheol-seok, education was provided on the operation of the seasonal work program, working conditions, and farming work guidelines, along with training from related institutions such as the Imsil Police Station.

A total of 30 Vietnamese foreign seasonal workers arrived this time, expected to greatly contribute to alleviating labor shortages on farms facing manpower difficulties.

They entered the country at the end of last month, invited by the families of Vietnamese marriage immigrants residing in Imsil and Jeonju, and all 30 have completed their third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

After entry, they underwent PCR testing, received negative results, and moved into shared accommodations on the 30th of last month.

The welcoming ceremony was conducted with interpretation assistance from Vietnamese marriage immigrants residing in Imsil-gun.

The county plans to introduce an additional 40 or so Vietnamese foreign seasonal workers in the second half of the year.

Previously, the county conducted a demand survey for farms participating in seasonal work last month, inspected the accommodations of applicant farms, and plans to apply to the Ministry of Justice for the allocation of seasonal workers for the second half of the year.

In particular, during the 8th term of the civilian administration, as part of Governor Sim Min's campaign pledges, the county intends to expand the introduction of foreign workers up to 200 annually.

A county official said, “We will strive harder to resolve labor shortages through stable employment for farms and provide practical agricultural policy support,” adding, “We will implement agricultural heart (Nongshim) policies that prioritize public sentiment, including gradually expanding the introduction of foreign seasonal workers.”