Damyang-gun's First Arrival of Foreign Seasonal Workers to Solve Labor Shortage During Farming Season

Signed MOU with Philippine Municipality to Introduce Seasonal Workers Inviting Families of Marriage Immigrants

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] To address the shortage of labor during the busy farming season caused by population decline and aging, Damyang-gun is actively promoting the entry of foreign seasonal workers.

According to the county on the 29th, an MOU was signed with two local governments in the Philippines last July, and a demand survey is being conducted to introduce seasonal workers invited by families of marriage immigrants. Efforts are being made to coordinate with local farms so that foreign workers can enter the country in time for the strawberry harvest season.

On the 28th, 29 seasonal workers from the Philippines arrived and were assigned to farms. About 30 more are expected to arrive by the end of the year, which is expected to bring much-needed relief to farms facing labor shortages.

The 29 workers from the Philippines completed procedures such as pre-education and PCR testing and were immediately deployed to farms in the area, where they will perform agricultural work for about five months.

Additionally, 30 seasonal workers who are relatives of marriage immigrants have also arrived to assist farm labor, and about 30 more are expected to arrive by the end of the year.

In particular, Damyang-gun enacted an ordinance in October regarding the operation of the Damyang-gun foreign seasonal worker program to minimize the financial burden on farms caused by the legal employment of foreign workers, striving to secure stable agricultural manpower.

County Governor Lee Byeongno said, “We will continue to expand the foreign seasonal worker program through MOU agreements and invitations to relatives of marriage immigrants, doing our best to resolve the rural labor shortage.”

Meanwhile, in December, officials including the mayor of Natividad, a local government with an MOU for foreign seasonal workers, will be invited to hold a friendly agreement between the two local governments and a meeting with the workers.