From Wallpapering to Ceiling Repairs... Gyeongnam Foreign Resident Support Center Completes Housing Environment Improvements for 5 Households

Before (left) and after repair of the damaged ceiling.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Gyeongsangnam-do Foreign Resident Support Center completed wallpapering, flooring, waterproofing, and ceiling repairs for five foreign resident households on the 3rd.

The center is an institution that promotes various projects and human rights protection policies to help foreign residents adapt to the local community, based on the Gyeongsangnam-do Foreign Resident Support Ordinance.

It was established by Gyeongsangnam-do and is operated under consignment by the Gyeongnam Migrant Workers Welfare Center, a non-profit organization.

Before wallpaper and flooring replacement (left) and after construction completion.

The center announced that, following last year, it carried out a housing environment improvement project for foreign residents this year as well, selecting target households through a selection committee after reviewing applicants' housing conditions.

According to a report from November last year by the Ministry of Employment and Labor on the living conditions of foreign workers under the Employment Permit System and measures to improve laws and systems, 387 employers stated that they provided accommodation for foreign workers.

Among them, 215 employers, accounting for 55.6%, provided 'temporary structures' such as prefabricated panels, containers, facilities inside vinyl greenhouses, non-residential workplace buildings, and livestock management facilities.

A center official explained, "According to relevant guidelines, even temporary structures can be used as residences if they have a local government registration certificate, but only 55 employers, or 25.6%, responded that they had obtained such a certificate," adding, "The practice of using unauthorized temporary buildings as accommodations is still widespread."

This summer, the center provided fans to 12 foreign resident households and plans to implement an electric heating pad support project this winter.

Marriage immigrant woman Ms. P said, "One room's ceiling was unusable due to rooftop leakage, but after this repair work, it feels like the house has become bigger, and I am very grateful."

Migrant worker Mr. C said, "After the accommodation's water pipe burst and flooded the room, the floor and walls were full of mold, but I am very happy that it has been cleaned and repaired."

Center Director Goseonghyun said, "I hope this project will serve as an opportunity to pay attention to the poor housing conditions of foreign residents, including foreign workers in the province," and added, "I hope our society will continue to make efforts to improve this in the future."

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