It was reported that the middle market enterprises (MMEs) in core manufacturing sectors headquartered in the Seoul metropolitan region can now hire foreign workers with the E-9 (non-professional employee) visa. These and other revisions to labour regulations were finalised on October 17 at a meeting of the Foreign Workforce Policy Committee, chaired by Office for Policy Coordination Minister Bang Ki-sun, at the Government Complex-Seoul in Jongno-gu District.
In September last year, MMEs in these sectors based outside the capital area that were experiencing labour shortages were permitted to hire foreign workers with the E-9 visa. This decision, however, excluded companies headquartered in the Seoul metropolitan region, even if their business locations were outside the area. The latest decision now allows domestic MMEs to hire foreign staff regardless of their base location. This change will come into effect from the fifth round of employment permit applications, slated for December.
Government measures tailored for foreign labour will include vocational training for core sectors, Korean-language education related to work, and industrial safety education to ensure such staff can quickly adapt and work safely.
“We expect these necessary improvements will enable companies to utilise foreign talent more efficiently on-site. We urge businesses to take extra safety precautions to ensure foreign workers familiarise themselves with safety rules and perform their work safely,” Minister Bang stated.
