Muan-gun Introduces Seasonal Workers Program for Families of Marriage Immigrants

Expectations for Resolving the Chronic Labor Shortage in Rural Areas

[Muan＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo] Jeonnam Muan-gun (Governor Kim San) is accepting applications from farms for the introduction and operation of the second half of the year of the "Foreign Seasonal Worker Program," which invites family members of marriage immigrants residing in Muan-gun as seasonal workers to address the shortage of labor in rural areas.

Exterior view of Muan-gun Office
[Photo by Muan-gun]

According to the county on the 22nd, eligible applicants are marriage immigrants residing in Muan-gun with marriage immigrant status who are married to county residents. The marriage immigrant or their spouse must be registered as an agricultural worker, and the farm must have an environment where the applicant can work only within the applicant's farm.

There are 614 marriage immigrant women residing in Muan-gun, including 234 from Vietnam, 129 from China, 105 from the Philippines, 57 from Japan, 37 from Cambodia, 22 from Thailand, and 30 from other countries, representing a diverse immigrant population, and many marriage immigrants are expected to apply.

The invitation target is family members or relatives within cousins residing in the applicant's home country and must be between 19 and 55 years old.

The allowable stay period is 90 days (C-4 visa) or 5 months (E-8 visa). However, those with tuberculosis, infectious diseases, drug users, or those who are pregnant or have given birth within one year as of the date of the visa issuance certificate application are excluded from the invitation.

Marriage immigrants who wish to apply must visit the town or township office of their address by the 8th of next month and submit an application form, marriage immigrant ID, family relationship certificate, and agricultural and fishery business registration confirmation, among other documents.

Seo Myeong-ho, Director of Agricultural Policy Division, said, "We hope that the seasonal worker system will help alleviate the shortage of labor on farms even a little," and added, "Please be sure to apply within the period."

Governor Kim San said, "In the serious situation of rural labor supply and demand, the introduction of seasonal workers is indispensable, and it is very important to find good partners who will send diligent and hardworking workers," and added, "We hope that the introduction of the 'Foreign Seasonal Worker Program,' which invites family members of marriage immigrants as seasonal workers, will be an opportunity to resolve labor shortages and revitalize rural areas."

Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Oh Hwan-joo ohj1358@asiae.co.kr

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