Jindo-gun Signs Agreement with San Mateo City, Philippines for Seasonal Worker Introduction

Active Efforts to Solve the Labor Shortage Problem on Farms

Jindo County in Jeollanam-do signed an MOU with San Mateo City in Rizal Province, Philippines, to introduce seasonal workers in order to address labor shortages caused by the decline and aging of the rural population.

Last month, Jindo County signed an MOU for the introduction of seasonal workers with San Mateo City in the Philippines.
[Photo by Jindo County]

According to the county on the 3rd, last month Woo Hong-seop, Vice Governor of Jindo County, visited the Philippines and signed a business agreement for the introduction of seasonal workers with Mayor John Bartolome and Rivera of San Mateo City, Rizal Province, and other officials from both institutions.

Under this agreement, San Mateo City in Rizal Province, Philippines, will support the selection of excellent personnel suitable for the introduction conditions and adaptation training, while Jindo County plans to place the selected Filipino workers in agricultural and fishery households to solve the job shortage problem in rural areas.

Jindo County has been operating a foreign seasonal worker system since last year, and in the first half of this year, it received a total of 277 foreign seasonal workers: 134 in agriculture and 143 in fisheries.

The county expects that the foreign seasonal worker system in the agriculture and fishery sectors will be smoothly established and help alleviate labor shortages that occur seasonally and for short periods during sowing and harvesting seasons.

Governor Kim Hee-su said, “We will do our best to ensure that the recurring labor shortage problem in rural areas is resolved and provides practical help to local farmers,” adding, “We look forward to actively promoting mutual exchanges in economy and culture with San Mateo City in Rizal Province, Philippines, and to more seasonal workers being employed and settling more stably in Jindo County.”

Meanwhile, Jindo County continues to provide administrative support to ensure stable employment by enforcing compliance with labor conditions and human rights protection for employers and seasonal workers.