Hamyang County Continues Systematic Support for Seasonal Workers

Applications Accepted Until May 7

Addressing Rural Labor Shortages and Supporting Stable Farming Operations

Hamyang County in South Gyeongsang Province announced that it will conduct a survey on the demand for foreign seasonal workers for the second half of 2026 until May 7, aiming to address the chronic labor shortage in rural areas and support stable farming activities.

The application is open to farmers and agricultural corporations registered as agricultural business entities and residing in Hamyang County, with each farm eligible to apply for up to nine workers.

Employment options include either hiring Vietnamese workers through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Hamyang County and the seasonal worker dispatching organization, or inviting family members from the home country of marriage immigrants residing in the region. The basic stay period is five months with an E-8 visa, and it can be extended by up to three months.

[Photo provided by Hamyang County] A panoramic view of Hamyang County Office

In particular, for the family invitation of marriage immigrants, new applications are limited to family members within the second degree of kinship, while re-entry is allowed for family members within the fourth degree. If a current worker is recognized as a diligent employee, re-entry is also permitted.

Worker accommodations must be equipped with essential facilities, including heating and cooling systems, showers, cooking utensils, bedding, fire extinguishers, and fire detectors.

Simple modifications of greenhouses, containers, or warehouses cannot be used as accommodations. However, prefabricated structures that have been upgraded to the level of a standard house in both appearance and interior, and are equipped with all essential facilities, are exceptionally permitted.

Farms wishing to hire workers must prepare the required documents, including the application form and agricultural business registration certificate, and submit them in person to the town or township office corresponding to their address.

The county plans to finalize the selection of foreign seasonal workers after a review assigned by the Ministry of Justice and will proceed with the sequential entry and allocation of workers to farms starting from September.

A Hamyang County official stated, "The foreign seasonal worker system plays a key role in addressing aging rural populations and labor shortages," adding, "We will do our best to operate and support the system so that both farms and workers can be satisfied."

Meanwhile, Hamyang County established the nation's first seasonal worker support center in 2024 and became the first in South Gyeongsang Province to implement a public seasonal worker program, actively building a systematic support system to resolve rural labor shortages.

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