Laos Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Visits Icheon City to Discuss Introduction of Foreign Seasonal Workers

Icheon City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyunghee) is working to expand the introduction of foreign seasonal workers to alleviate the labor shortage in rural areas. On April 21, Phosay Sayasone, Minister of Labor and Social Welfare of Laos, made an official visit and discussed the operation of the seasonal worker system as well as ways to expand cooperation.

Kim Kyunghee, mayor of Icheon City, is taking a commemorative photo with Phosay Sayasone, Minister of Labor, Social Welfare and Veterans in Laos, after discussing the operation of the seasonal worker system and ways to expand cooperation on the 21st. Provided by Icheon City

Mayor Kim Kyunghee said, "I hope this visit will serve as an opportunity for meaningful discussions on the direction of cooperation between the two countries and help establish a foundation not only for solving the agricultural labor shortage in Icheon, but also for expanding exchanges in agricultural technology and economic cooperation." Mayor Kim also introduced the excellence of Icheon rice and the region's industrial base, including the semiconductor industry led by SK hynix, emphasizing the city's competitiveness in harmonizing agriculture and advanced industries.

In response, Minister Phosay Sayasone highlighted the diligence and extensive agricultural experience of Laotian workers as strengths and expressed Laos's intent to dispatch workers to Icheon City.

Meanwhile, Icheon City has already introduced 351 foreign seasonal workers this year through agreements with Vietnam and Cambodia to help resolve the rural labor shortage. If cooperation with Laos becomes active, it is expected to greatly contribute to diversifying labor supply.

Building on this meeting, Icheon City plans to further solidify cooperation with Laos and accelerate the establishment of a stable foreign seasonal worker supply system.

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