Incheon City announced on the 2nd that it will accelerate efforts to secure national funding for next year to support foreign workers engaged in the root industry, which is facing a severe labor shortage.
On the 27th of last month, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced the 2025 budget plan to strengthen support for foreign workers. Accordingly, Incheon City plans to help foreign workers adapt early to industrial sites and work stably through skilled labor conversion (E74) due to the expansion of foreign worker introduction, Korean language education support, and stay support.
The city has been discussing next year's foreign worker support policy direction together with the Employment and Labor Office, Seo-gu and Gyeyang-gu Offices, Juan, Bupyeong, and Seoun Industrial Complexes, and the Incheon Human Resources Development Committee. In particular, they visited the Seo-gu Incheon Surface Treatment Cooperative and Seoun Industrial Complex to meet with company officials employing foreign workers to listen to the necessity of support projects and difficulties.
Also, on the 11th, they plan to meet with officials from the Ministry of Justice to discuss support measures for foreign worker visa conversion. The conversion of foreign workers to skilled labor and support for long-term stay greatly contribute not only to employment stability and productivity improvement of companies but also to settlement in the local community, making policy preparation essential.
To support foreign workers engaged in the root industry, the "Root Industry Foreign Workers Center" opened on the 26th of last month in Geomdan, Seo-gu, Incheon. [Photo by Incheon City]
Meanwhile, Incheon City opened the 'Incheon Root Industry Foreign Worker Center' in Geomdan, Seo-gu, last July to support the stable work and early settlement of foreign workers in the root industry field.
The center promotes various projects such as E74 conversion education for improving the treatment of foreign workers, legal, administrative, and medical counseling for stable stay support, Korean language education, cultural experiences, and exchange events among workers.
Recently, over 100 foreign workers attended Korean language and visa conversion education held at the Incheon Surface Treatment Cooperative, receiving great responses. On the 14th, a place will be provided at the Bullo Culture and Sports Center located in Geomdan, Seo-gu, where foreign workers can experience our traditional holidays and communicate with companies and workers.
An official from Incheon City stated, "We will make every effort to secure next year's national budget to prepare foreign worker support policies reflecting the government's stance, resolve the recruitment difficulties of root companies, and create a good working environment for foreign workers."
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