S.Korea needs 35,000 additional foreign workers: study

Mid-sized companies’ most significant challenge in managing foreign workers is communication in Korean

S.Korea needs 35,000 additional foreign workers: study
Jeong-Seon Lee 1
Jan 08, 2024 (Gmt+09:00) leeway@hankyung.com
Culture & Trends

The South Korean government plans to issue non-professional employment (E-9) visas to 165,000 foreign workers this year.

However, claims have arisen from small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies stating a shortage of an additional 35,000 workers.

The Korea Federation of SMEs presented an Investigation on Employment of Foreign Workers targeting 1,200 small- and medium-sized manufacturers on Monday, analyzing the situation in this way.

In a survey regarding the stay period of foreign workers (up to 9 years and 8 months), 53.5% of small- and medium-sized enterprises expressed the opinion that an extension of five years or more is necessary.

Regarding the most significant challenges in managing foreign workers, communication in Korean emerged as the top concern, with 49.7% affirming it.

Write to Jeong-Seon Lee at leeway@hankyung.com
#E9 visa #foreign workers #small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies #Korea Federation of SMEs

S.Korea to allow hiring of foreign workers in hotels, resorts

S.Korea to allow hiring of foreign workers in hotels, resorts

The South Korean government said on Friday that it would grant the hiring of foreign workers in hotels and resorts from next year.The hotel and resort industries in the nation have been facing a labor shortage, prompting the government to allow the employment of foreign workers in these sector

Korea to raise unskilled foreign worker visa quota to record high

Korea to raise unskilled foreign worker visa quota to record high

Foreign workers arrivals at Incheon International Airport, South Korea’s main gateway, wait for buses on July 7, 2022 (File photo, courtesy of Yonhap) South Korea is set to increase its visa quota for non-professional foreign workers to a record high and expand the sectors in which they c

S.Korea opens doors wider for skilled foreign workers

S.Korea opens doors wider for skilled foreign workers

South Korea will raise the country’s visa quota for skilled foreign workers by 15 times from the previous level to ease chronic labor shortages, especially in the shipbuilding and agricultural sectors, amid the rapidly aging population.The government will increase the annual quota for sk

S.Korea launches foreign worker quota exclusively for shipbuilding sector

S.Korea launches foreign worker quota exclusively for shipbuilding sector

South Korea will set a separate quota of 5,000 foreign workers to solve the labor shortage in domestic shipbuilding and accept 120,000 such workers this year to fill as many vacancies as possible. The Foreign Workforce Policy Committee under the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Monday

Korea to retain more skilled foreign workers with visa status upgrade

Korea to retain more skilled foreign workers with visa status upgrade

Migrant workers at the Incheon International Airport South Korea plans to more than double the number of skilled foreign workers next year as the country is struggling with a declining workforce at its major businesses amid falling birth rates and an aging population.Next year, up to 5, 000 mig