Among This Year's Outstanding Korean Shipbuilding and Marine Professionals, Two Are Foreigners

"I was thinking of quitting after one or two more years to try something else, but after receiving this award, my thoughts have changed."

On the 20th, at the 20th annual 'Shipbuilding and Offshore Day,' the largest event of the year in the domestic shipbuilding industry, foreign recipients were awarded for the first time. The protagonists are Mr. Komkrit from Daero ENG, a Samsung Heavy Industries partner company from Thailand, and Mr. Kumara from Jiu Industry, an HDHyundai Heavy Industries partner company from Sri Lanka. Both received the 'Outstanding Shipbuilding and Offshore Personnel Award.' Every year, about ten people who have made significant contributions to the industry's development are selected and awarded at the Shipbuilding and Offshore Day event. Industry insiders say that the fact that foreigners received this award clearly shows the position of foreign workers in our shipbuilding industry.

Mr. Komkrit wore a gray work uniform with 'Samsung Heavy Industries' written on the left chest and stepped up to the awards ceremony. When asked about his feelings on receiving the award, he said, "I feel good. I am happy to be recognized by the company." He plans to visit his wife and children in Thailand next April. He said, "I am raising children aged 13 and 11, which costs a lot of money," and added, "I want to continue working in Korea where I can earn a lot of money."

On the 20th, at the EL Tower in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Jung Jin-taek, Chairman of the Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association and President of Samsung Heavy Industries, presented the 'Outstanding Offshore & Shipbuilding Person Award' plaque to Mr. Komkrit, who works at Daero ENG, a partner company of Samsung Heavy Industries.
[Photo by Korea Offshore & Shipbuilding Association]

He said, "Sometimes representatives from other companies ask how Daero ENG treats its foreign workers so well that their own foreign workers want to be treated like those at Daero ENG." Mr. Komkrit said, "The most important thing is the attention given to us," adding, "It is a great strength to have concern about whether there are any difficulties at the work site or in the dormitory life." He started special welding (TIG) at Samsung Heavy Industries' Geoje Shipyard partner company in October 2014. His welding defect rate is lower than the standard (below 3%). He also corrects defective work done by other welders.

The other awardee, Mr. Kumara, works as a painting team leader at HDHyundai Heavy Industries partner company, giving work instructions to eight Korean employees. He has been a team leader for five years. Dressed neatly in a suit at the event, he said, "I know this is an award not easily received, so I feel good," and added, "I feel proud that I am opening new paths for my colleagues."

He has worked at Jiu Industry for over 11 years. He is said to have a high understanding of the final touch-up area of ship block painting. During his tenure, he has been responsible for painting work on about 150 ships. Mr. Kumara said, "Shipbuilding companies pay salaries regularly and provide summer vacation allowances and holiday bonuses more generously than other places." His Korean language skills are excellent. He is currently enrolled as a second-year student in the Korean Language Department at Korea Polytechnic University.

On the 20th, at the 20th Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Day held at EL Tower in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Jung Jin-taek, Chairman of the Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Plant Association and President of Samsung Heavy Industries, presented the Excellence in Shipbuilding and Offshore Award plaque to Mr. Kumara, who works at Jiu Industry, a subcontractor of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.
[Photo by Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Plant Association]

They were selected based on scores out of 1,000,000 points across four categories. The four categories are shipbuilding and offshore service period (10 points), job performance ability (20 points), creativity (10 points), and contribution to shipbuilding development (60 points). A representative from the Shipbuilding and Offshore Plant Association said, "To boost workers' pride and encourage long-term residence, we created an award for foreigners for the first time this year," adding, "We plan to continue this next year."

The government has completely revised the visa system to supply foreign workers to the shipbuilding industry, which is experiencing a labor shortage. Through this, 5,209 E-7 foreign workers have been supplied to the field since April last year, and 3,179 E-9 foreign workers since April this year. The proportion of foreign workers at major domestic shipyards is about 20%.

At last month's Regulatory Innovation Strategy Meeting chaired by President Yoon, it was decided to increase the quota for verified skilled workers (E-7-4) from 2,000 last year to 35,000 this year and to double the foreign employment limit per company. Jang Young-jin, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said at the awards ceremony, "There are parts that cannot be done well by the Ministry of Industry alone, but the president gave direct instructions, and a difficult problem was solved in one day," adding, "The government and ministries are sparing no support for the shipbuilding industry."

An industry insider said, "Domestic high-volume workers are struggling due to wage increases and labor shortages, but foreign workers are filling the gaps."

On the 20th, award recipients including Mr. Kumara (second from the left) and Mr. Komkrit (third from the left), who received the Excellent Shipbuilding and Offshore Award, took a commemorative photo with Jeong Jin-taek, Chairman of the Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Plant Association and President of Samsung Heavy Industries.
[Photo by Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Plant Association]

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