Gyeonggi Province improves foreign laborer shelter conditions

Many of the foreign laborers residing in Korea work primarily in 3D industries as well as in the agricultural, livestock and fishing sectors.

As of the first half of last year, Gyeonggi Province accounted for 42.7% of the foreign workers in Korea, the highest proportion among local autonomies nationwide.

Many of the foreign laborers residing in Korea work primarily in 3D industries as well as in the agricultural, livestock and fishing sectors.

These workers are obviously valuable members of Korean society, but the unfortunate reality is that they do not receive sufficient support for the protection of their rights and interests.

If foreign laborers involuntarily lose their jobs, they may need government assistance through systemized support services in the form of temporary residence, legal counseling and interpretation so as to protect their rights.

A forum was recently held to discuss the enactment of ordinance for Gyeonggi Province foreign worker shelters.

@Gyeonggi Province.

Gyeonggi Province is currently managing shelters for migrant workers who have lost their housing due to natural disasters, job loss, business failures, and so on. The province is also promoting its “Foreign Worker Shelter Condition Improvement Project” so as to improve the conditions of temporary residential shelters and assist in the stable acclimation of migrants.

Having been privately operated, the migrant worker shelters were seriously run down and exposed to fire and pandemic risks. Such dire conditions drew the attention of Gyeonggi Province last year, and the province promptly launched an improvement project for 15 shelters in 11 cities including Suwon and Goyang.

The project is continuing this year so as support the repair of residential space through the refurbishment of walls, floors, and bedding; it also seeks to overhaul and reinforce safety facilities through the improvement of window security grilles, the replacement worn-out electric equipment, and removal of fire-prone areas. The elimination of disease control blind spots in residential facilities is also part of the project.

The shelter improvement project is extending its role in protecting foreign worker rights in Gyeonggi Province and facilitating their employment.

@Gyeonggi Province.

Foreign worker shelters eligible for the 2022 improvement project include those in Gyeonggi Province that are run by nonprofit organizations. The selected shelters will receive a budget allocation of up to KRW 10 million.

Through the continuation of this improvement project, the Gyeonggi seeks to help multicultural families and foreign residents become proud and respected members of Korean society.