SaninGong, Employment Permit System Workshop... Heads of 16 Countries' Agencies Attend

Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jeong-sik is giving a greeting speech at the Youth Disabled Work Experience Program meeting held at Korea Festo in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

The Human Resources Development Service of Korea under the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 5th that it will hold the 'EPS Center-Sending Agencies Future Knowledge Forum and Workshop' at the Nine Tree Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, inviting heads of 16 sending country agencies under the Employment Permit System and EPS center staff stationed in sending countries until the 7th.

This event was organized to ensure smooth operation of the Employment Permit System and to strengthen international cooperation networks. The Employment Permit System, which started in 2004 and marks its 20th anniversary this year, supports foreign workers (E-9) for small and medium-sized enterprises, contributing to resolving labor shortages.

This year, the quota for the Employment Permit System introduction is 165,000, the largest ever. Last year alone, 100,148 foreign workers entered the country, and since the system's implementation, the cumulative number of foreign workers has reached 961,347.

The Service plans to promote various projects such as developing Korean language education content, advancing the selection system, and improving the real-time entry information verification system. Additionally, through the Future Knowledge Forum, institutional measures regarding timely selection, rapid introduction, protection of rights, and core strategies for foreign workers were discussed.

Director Lee Woo-young said in his opening remarks, "This is a meaningful occasion where domestic and international stakeholders of the Employment Permit System connecting 16 countries have gathered," and added, "We will strive to achieve the record-high introduction scale of 165,000 foreign workers."

He also stated, "We will regularly hold the EPS Future Knowledge Forum to create a platform for discussing sustainable directions for the operation of the Employment Permit System."