GWANGJU, South Korea – Gwangju Metropolitan City has announced an initiative to recruit 10 "Multicultural Family Postpartum Caregivers" for 2025. This program aims to provide crucial care and support to multicultural mothers and their newborns, addressing a critical need within the city's diverse population. The recruitment drive seeks to empower migrant and Koryoin (ethnic Koreans from the former Soviet Union) women, offering them stable employment while simultaneously delivering culturally sensitive postpartum services.

Eligibility and Application Details

The city is actively seeking migrant and Koryoin women who meet specific criteria: a minimum of three years of residency in Korea, at least one year passed since childbirth, and a Korean language proficiency test (TOPIK) score of Level 3 or higher, or equivalent communication skills. These requirements ensure that caregivers can effectively communicate with both the mothers and the healthcare system, providing comprehensive support.

Applications will be accepted from June 16th to June 20th. Prospective candidates can download application forms from the Gwangju Buk-gu Family Center website. Completed applications, along with all required documents, can be submitted via email or fax. For more detailed inquiries, interested individuals are encouraged to contact the Gwangju Buk-gu Family Center directly.

A Dual Benefit Program

This program is lauded for its "two-birds-with-one-stone" approach. For migrant mothers, it offers the invaluable benefit of receiving postpartum care from caregivers who share similar cultural backgrounds. This shared understanding can significantly ease the challenges of postpartum recovery in a new country, providing emotional comfort and practical advice tailored to their cultural context. Caregivers will assist with essential information and support services necessary for postpartum recuperation, which often differs significantly across cultures.

Simultaneously, the initiative provides a stable employment opportunity for migrant and Koryoin women. In a competitive job market, this program offers a structured role with a clear purpose and remuneration. This aspect not only contributes to the economic independence of these women but also fosters their integration into Korean society.

Training and Service Scope

Selected applicants will undergo a specialized postpartum caregiver training program from July 8th to July 16th. This comprehensive training will equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively support new mothers and their infants.

Once trained, caregivers will be active for a total of 70 hours per household, working five hours daily from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays. The hourly wage is set at 13,000 KRW (including meal allowance), with additional transportation costs provided.

The scope of services is extensive, covering various aspects of maternal and newborn care. Caregivers will assist with newborn bathing, maternal nutritional management, postpartum exercises, laundry and cleanliness management, and guidance on vaccinations. Beyond the physical aspects, they will also provide crucial emotional support and psychological stability for the mothers, recognizing the significant emotional toll of childbirth and adapting to a new environment.

Current Landscape and Future Outlook

Currently, Gwangju boasts a network of 26 active postpartum caregivers from six different countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. This existing infrastructure highlights the city's ongoing commitment to supporting its diverse multicultural population.

Joo Sang-hyeon, head of Gwangju City's Foreign Residents Division, emphasized the profound impact of culturally shared care. "Having a caregiver who shares the same cultural background can provide both psychological stability and practical help to mothers simultaneously," he stated. He expressed hope for widespread interest and participation in the multicultural family postpartum caregiver program.

Accessing Postpartum Care Services

For multicultural married immigrant mothers and Koryoin mothers who wish to utilize these postpartum care services, applications are open for the "Multicultural Family Postpartum Caregiver Service User Household Recruitment" program. Application forms can be downloaded from the Gwangju Buk-gu Family Center website. Completed forms, along with relevant documents, can be submitted in person at the Gwangju Buk-gu Family Center. This service is recruiting year-round, and the utilization fee is free of charge. For more detailed inquiries, individuals should contact the Gwangju Buk-gu Family Center.

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