Rep. Park Jiwon: Entry Ban on Filipino Seasonal Workers to Be Lifted from the 6th

The entry of seasonal workers from the Philippines to address the labor shortage in the Wando area will resume starting from the 6th.

Park Jie-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Haenam, Wando, and Jindo in South Jeolla Province), announced on Facebook on the 5th that the Philippine government's ban on the departure of foreign seasonal workers has been lifted, making their entry possible again.

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jiwon

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Wando is a region where more than 2,500 foreign seasonal workers, the highest number in the country last year, were active. Last month, the entry of 430 workers was scheduled, but complications arose when the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers unilaterally prohibited the departure of 150 of its nationals ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

In response, Park Jie-won secured final approval from the Philippine government for the departure of foreign seasonal workers through close consultations with the Ministry of Justice.

Park explained, "Haenam, Wando, and Jindo are representative agricultural and aquaculture regions, and their dependence on foreign seasonal workers is very high due to labor shortages." He emphasized that prompt and smooth immigration procedures and workforce expansion are key measures for revitalizing the local economy.

Additionally, Park expressed his gratitude for the communication efforts of the Consulate of the Philippine Embassy in Korea and the negotiation efforts of the Ministry of Justice's Immigration and Foreign Policy Bureau, promising to continue doing his utmost to improve policies related to foreign seasonal workers.

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