Gyeonggi Province Launches “Foreign Worker Supporters Program” in Rural Areas

Gyeonggi Province is launching its “Foreign Worker Supporters Program” in rural areas so as to take the lead in improving related working conditions

Gyeonggi Province is launching its “Foreign Worker Supporters Program” in rural areas so as to take the lead in improving related working conditions

The foreign worker population of Gyeonggi Province has been cited as being 176,517, the highest in Korea. Accordingly, Gyeonggi Province has been exploring and supporting various approaches to improve quality of life for foreign workers.

Gyeonggi Province is officially launching its 2022 Rural Area Foreign Worker Supporters Program this month to assist in improving working conditions for foreign workers in rural areas of the province.

@Gyeonggi Province

This program has been promoted by Gyeonggi Province since 2021 for foreign workers who have difficulties receiving such assistance due to lengthy commutes, lack of transportation, and other issues associated with rural areas.

Last year marked the initiation of the program, which has since achieved success through 1,243 labor consultations and the provision of over 13,000 personal safety items to foreign workers in need.

This year, three private organizations were competitively selected through public tender for the task of operating the supporters program until December; they will oversee the improvement of working conditions for foreign workers in rural areas.

The selected organizations will establish groups of supporters who will engage in activities tailored to the nature of each area; they will offer consultations related to living information and the protection of rights as well as assistance in safety inspections of accommodations and work sites. They will also provide insect repellent and other personal safety items.

Moreover, the organizations will identify foreign workers in vulnerable situations, provide aid through expert consultations related to law and labor, and offer channels of communication with employment centers and other relevant institutions for the resolution of issues.

Furthermore, the organizations will assist in improving working/living environments through electrical safety inspections, smoke detector installation, and more for the accommodations and work sites of foreign workers; this also includes activities to supply personal safety items such as insect repellent.

@Gyeonggi Province

This year, with the lifting of COVID-19 social distancing policies, supporters will be able to perform on-site visits while also providing contactless consultations through SNS channels such as Facebook Live and others.

This program is expected to contribute to the improvement of working conditions and local community integration for foreign workers in rural areas who often face difficulties in receiving such assistance due to their remote locations.

Gyeonggi Province will continue to promote programs for the rights and interests of foreign workers.

Inquiries: Foreigner Policy Division of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government – Tel: +82-31-8030-4663