CHEONAN, South Korea - Cheonan City is actively seeking applications from local farms wishing to employ foreign seasonal workers as part of its ongoing efforts to address the critical labor shortages plaguing the agricultural sector. The recruitment period will run from April 7th to April 30th, with applications being accepted at the Administrative Welfare Centers located in each Eup, Myeon, and Dong of the city.
This initiative comes as Cheonan's rural communities grapple with the dual challenges of a declining population and an aging workforce, both of which have significantly impacted agricultural productivity. By facilitating the employment of foreign seasonal workers, the city aims to provide much-needed support to local farmers and revitalize the rural economy.
Cheonan City's proactive management of its foreign worker programs has earned it recognition as a leading municipality in this area. Notably, the city has maintained an average overseas worker departure rate of under 5% over the past three years. This exemplary track record allows Cheonan farms to apply for a higher quota of seasonal workers, with individual farms now eligible to request up to 14 workers.
The city offers three distinct pathways for farms to recruit foreign seasonal labor:
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Collaborations with foreign governments or organizations to bring in workers.
Invitation of Family/Relatives of Marriage Immigrants: Enabling Korean citizens who have married foreign nationals to invite their family members or relatives to work on local farms.
Invitation of Parents of International Students: Providing an avenue for international students studying in South Korea to invite their parents to work seasonally.
Interested farm owners are required to submit their applications at the Administrative Welfare Center corresponding to their registered address.
Participating farms bear several crucial responsibilities towards their seasonal workers. These include guaranteeing a minimum of 35 working hours per week, paying wages that meet or exceed the national minimum wage, providing suitable accommodation and meals, and ensuring comprehensive insurance coverage through industrial accident insurance or farmer safety insurance. Furthermore, farms with a history of employing individuals who have overstayed their visas illegally are ineligible to participate in the program.
Currently, Cheonan City hosts 135 seasonal workers across 50 local farms, demonstrating the existing demand and the program's initial success. The city administration is committed to ensuring that these workers operate in safe, comfortable, and fair working conditions through ongoing monitoring and support.
Lee Myeong-yeol, the Director of Cheonan City's Agricultural Environment Bureau, emphasized the significance of the program, stating, "The foreign seasonal worker system is a vital tool for effectively resolving the labor shortages faced by our agricultural sector and for injecting dynamism into our rural economy. We strongly encourage all farms experiencing difficulties in securing labor to actively consider and apply for this program."
This recruitment drive underscores Cheonan City's commitment to supporting its agricultural community and fostering a sustainable rural economy in the face of demographic shifts. The program not only provides a crucial labor source for farmers but also offers opportunities for foreign workers to gain valuable work experience and contribute to the local economy.
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