Busan City Opens 'Foreign Workers Support Center'

Busan Workers' Welfare Center, Dedicated Support Organization for Foreign Workers in the Region

Labor Counseling, Korean Language and Industrial Safety Education, Mentoring Programs

The city of Busan has opened the 'Busan Foreign Workers Support Center' on the first basement floor of the Busan Workers Welfare Center (Yeonsu-ro, Yeonje-gu).

Busan Foreign Workers Support Center Opening Ceremony.

The Busan Foreign Workers Support Center is a dedicated support institution established to systematically assist foreign workers in the region. The city promoted the establishment of the center after being selected for the Ministry of Employment and Labor's 'Foreign Workers Regional Settlement Support Project' in February.

With the increasing number of foreign workers entering and residing in the area, coupled with population decline and low birth rates intensifying labor shortages in local industries, foreign workers have become an important human resource for the region. The Ministry of Employment and Labor is implementing the 'Foreign Workers Regional Settlement Support Project' for local governments to support the stable settlement of these workers.

As the government expands its policy to introduce more foreign labor, it is expected that the inflow of foreign workers will increase, and their administrative needs will become more diverse, further highlighting the necessity of operating dedicated support institutions for foreign workers.

The newly opened center is operated by the Busan Regional Headquarters of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, with an annual budget of 400 million KRW (200 million from the national government, 200 million from the city). The center runs programs such as professional counseling on labor relations, Korean language and industrial safety education, and mentoring to support long-term settlement and community integration of foreign workers.

Specifically, this year, the center will provide: ▲ specialized counseling and interpretation support on labor and the employment permit system ▲ Korean language education at various levels ▲ IT education to support communication with their home countries ▲ industrial and daily life safety education for safe work and daily living ▲ health promotion education to support the mental health of foreign workers in unpopular industries ▲ a mentor bridge program to help with local adaptation, with local residents, colleagues, or long-term foreign residents as mentors ▲ Korean culture experience and free health checkup programs.

Previously, the Busan Foreign Residents Support Center and the Busan Global Center had provided services such as counseling and Korean language education to foreign workers, but access to these facilities was somewhat challenging due to their distance from workplaces. With the opening of this new center, 'on-site counseling and Korean language education' will be supported, allowing more foreign workers to receive practical assistance.

The center operates from Sunday to Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed on Fridays, Saturdays, and public holidays. However, some courses are offered on Saturdays to ensure smooth operation of educational programs.

Korean language and IT courses are held on Sundays, while industrial safety, settlement, and health promotion programs are conducted on Saturdays.

Any foreign worker (E-9, H-2 visa holders) can participate in the programs offered by this center. Those wishing to participate in counseling or other programs should contact the center.

The opening ceremony of the Busan Foreign Workers Support Center was held at the center at 11 a.m. on the 22nd.

The ceremony was attended by Park Juwan, Executive Vice President of the Busan Employers Federation, Oh Yujeong, Head of Regional Cooperation at the Busan Regional Employment and Labor Office, Shin Seungsik, Head of the Busan Regional Headquarters of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, Gong Heungdu, Head of the Busan Regional Headquarters of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Lee Chiwoo, Head of International Exchange at the Busan Global City Foundation, and representatives of various labor organizations, totaling about 90 participants.

Attendees of the center opening ceremony are taking a commemorative photo.

Mayor Park Hyungjun stated, "Through the various support programs of the newly launched Busan Foreign Workers Support Center, we will be able to meet the diverse needs of foreign workers residing in the region," and added, "The city will continue to promote various projects to substantially improve the rights and interests of foreign workers, making Busan a true global hub city."