About 38% of Foreign Workers in Gyeonggi-do Live in 'Vinyl Houses'

56% of Unreported Facilities and 49% of Accommodations in Non-Residential Areas Surveyed
24% Did Not Properly Conduct Electrical Safety Inspections

Photo by Moon Honam

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] It has been found that about 38% of foreign workers in Gyeonggi-do have arranged accommodations in vinyl greenhouse temporary structures, prompting the need for countermeasures.

According to the province on the 2nd, from December 31 last year to January 27, a survey was conducted on 1,852 out of 2,142 foreign worker accommodations in rural areas of Gyeonggi-do, excluding 290 locations where inspections were difficult due to closures or other reasons.

The survey results showed that 909 locations (49%) had accommodations in non-residential areas, 1,026 locations (56%) were unregistered facilities, and 697 locations (38%) were temporary structures inside vinyl greenhouses.

In particular, 1,105 locations (60%) had boilers installed, and some were found to use devices such as electric panels, radiators, heaters, or electric mats for heating.

Additionally, 458 locations (25%) had restrooms outside the accommodations, and 195 locations (11%) had shower facilities outside. Furthermore, 448 locations (24%) had not conducted electrical safety inspections, indicating the need for some improvements.

This survey was conducted by having staff from each eup, myeon, and dong directly visit the sites to check, based on laws and regulations, the type of housing, installation location, presence and management status of heating, cooling, and fire safety facilities, and whether electrical safety inspections were carried out.

The province plans to focus on preparing fundamental countermeasures by cooperating with cities and counties to improve the issues revealed in this survey and secure safe temporary housing facilities.

To this end, the province has organized a task force (TF) led by the Director of the Labor Bureau, including related departments such as the Foreign Policy Division, and will implement phased institutional improvements, including proposing legal amendments to protect the rights of foreign workers.

Kim Gyu-sik, Director of the Provincial Labor Bureau, stated, "We will continue to work to eliminate blind spots in human rights and create an environment where foreign workers can live and work more safely," adding, "We will establish a collaborative promotion system with related departments to prepare effective and concrete implementation plans."