Allowing 'Foreign Workers' for Domestic Transmission Line Construction... Pilot Operation for 2 Years with an Annual Limit of 300 Workers

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Ministry of Justice Establish New E-7 'Songjeon Jeongi-won' Occupation Category

Foreign workers will be allowed to be introduced in the domestic transmission line construction industry, which is experiencing difficulties in securing manpower.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Justice announced on the 12th a plan to establish a new occupation of 'Transmission Electrician' allowing the introduction of foreign workers under the Specific Activity (E-7) visa in the domestic transmission line construction industry facing labor shortages. The E-7 visa is a work visa permitted only for 89 occupations specially designated by the Minister of Justice.

(Photo)

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy explained, "Transmission line construction specialists are essential for expanding nuclear power and renewable energy transmission networks to respond to the rapidly increasing power demand due to the establishment of semiconductor clusters and the expansion of electric vehicle distribution. However, due to the nature of performing dangerous tasks in harsh working environments, it has been difficult to secure new personnel."

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Justice have established a pilot operation plan to allow the introduction of E-7 foreign workers within the scope of 300 people annually for two years through collaboration with related organizations such as Korea Electric Power Corporation and industry opinion gathering.

The power industry will also promote the expansion of employment training and the provision of bidding score advantages to electrical construction companies to foster new domestic transmission specialists along with the introduction of foreign workers, and create and support national employment by hiring local youth as safety managers needed at transmission line construction sites.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Justice plan to jointly monitor the selection and management status of foreign workers, efforts to expand national employment, and the implementation of measures to prevent illegal stay during the pilot operation period to ensure the stabilization of the system and protection of national jobs.

Minister An Deok-geun of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said, "This improvement of the visa system by the Ministry of Justice is expected to greatly contribute to industrial revitalization and enhancement of national competitiveness by resolving the manpower shortage essential for securing power infrastructure, enabling the supply of advanced industries of carbon-free energy." He added, "We will actively support the training of specialists in cooperation with related ministries in the future."