Yeongyang-gun, Seasonal Workers Entry for Marriage Immigrant Families

Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, announced that following the first MOU-based arrival of 90 people on April 6, as of May 23, 48 foreign seasonal workers invited through the family invitation method for marriage immigrants have entered 11 farms, and an additional 69 people from 20 farms are expected to arrive by early June.

Foreign seasonal workers who entered through the family invitation method for marriage immigrants are taking a commemorative photo with O Do-chang, the governor of Yeongyang County, after their arrival.

To resolve labor shortages during the busy farming season and to ensure the stable settlement of multicultural families residing in Yeongyang-gun, foreign seasonal workers composed of family members and relatives within the fourth degree of kinship of marriage immigrants are entering the area.

After arrival, they undergo drug testing at Ministry of Justice-designated medical institutions, visit the county office to receive basic guidance and safety education, and are then assigned to farms. Foreign registration will be conducted subsequently.

They will be assigned to farms for up to five months, learning excellent agricultural and farming techniques of Yeongyang-gun, and are expected to greatly contribute to the stable settlement of multicultural families and to alleviating labor shortages during the busy farming season.

Additionally, Yeongyang-gun supports farms employing seasonal workers by covering costs such as drug testing fees, industrial accident insurance premiums, foreign registration fees, and providing food supplies for foreign workers. The county is also strengthening education to help foreign seasonal workers adapt early and is working to improve difficulties faced by both workers and farms.

County Governor Oh Do-chang stated, “Foreign seasonal workers invited through the family invitation method of marriage immigrants play a significant role in resolving labor shortages during the busy farming season and also contribute to the stable settlement of marriage immigrants in Korea.”

In Yeongyang-gun, to address labor shortages and stabilize labor costs, a total of about 650 workers from approximately 220 farms are expected to arrive this year, including 117 who enter through the family invitation method for marriage immigrants and about 550 who arrive in three rounds through MOU agreements. Including the second group of workers arriving through the MOU method, about 410 workers will engage in farming from June to July, and a total of about 650 workers from August to October, helping to resolve manpower shortages and suppress labor cost increases.