Goheung-gun Supports Farm and Fishery Labor with Large-Scale Seasonal Worker Employment

Published 04 Dec.2023 16:28(KST)

Employing Over 800 People by Year-End to Fill Labor Shortage

Gohung-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Gong Young-min) announced on the 4th that it is promoting the employment of foreign seasonal workers in the second half of the year to resolve labor shortages caused by population decline and aging in the region.

As a result of applying to the Ministry of Justice for the introduction of foreign seasonal workers to secure stable manpower in rural fishing villages, this year Gohung-gun was allocated 1,098 seasonal workers (701 in fisheries and 397 in agriculture). This number is more than twice the 471 allocated last year.

On-site pre-deployment training scene [Photo by Goheung-gun]

Among them, about 500 people who have passed the immigration screening so far have been assigned to farms and fishing households, and it is expected that about 800 people will be assigned to farms and fishing households by the end of the year as more continue to enter the country.

Gohung-gun is selecting foreign workers from a total of 10 local governments, including 8 local governments in the Philippines and 2 local governments in Laos, by signing MOUs to attract a large number of foreign workers. It also plans to continuously expand employment of marriage immigrants and foreigners residing in Korea.

A county official said, “Following the successful attraction of seasonal workers last year, Gohung-gun was selected as an excellent local government designated by the Ministry of Justice, increasing the employment limit per employer from 9 to 11, an increase of 2. With the revision of guidelines allowing aquaculture businesses to also employ foreign workers, it is expected that the allocation of foreign seasonal workers will significantly solve labor shortages.”

He added, “Before employing workers, we conduct human rights education for employers and implement a one-strike-out policy for workplaces violating the Labor Standards Act. In addition, to prevent industrial accidents, we cooperate with the Gohung Fire Station to provide safety and fire education for workers. We are focusing on strengthening guidance and management after the introduction of workers to create a stable working environment for foreign seasonal workers.”

Meanwhile, Gohung-gun completed the application for the introduction of foreign seasonal workers to the Ministry of Justice last November for the allocation of foreign seasonal workers in the first half of 2024, and plans to introduce about 1,200 workers throughout the first and second halves of the year.