Gwangju Employers Federation Receives Positive Response to 'Support Member Companies Day' Every Wednesday

The Gwangju Employers Federation (Chairman Yang Jinseok) announced on the 2nd that its 'Company Support Day,' where executives and staff visit member companies every Wednesday, has been receiving a positive response.

The main topics of Company Support Day include ▲Guidelines for writing national and municipal government project proposals ▲ESG management ▲Corporate image and promotional marketing ▲Communication and conflict resolution ▲Other event management guidelines. Among these, the most sought-after consulting topic by member companies was the guidelines for writing national and municipal government project proposals.

Seventy percent of Gwangju Employers Federation’s member companies are manufacturers. Due to the economic downturn, small and medium-sized enterprises are prioritizing securing national and municipal funding to minimize expenses on research and development, marketing, and exhibition participation in order to strengthen their competitiveness and survive.

Additionally, member companies reported difficulties in hiring domestic workers, with the greatest challenge being issues related to foreign workers. Companies stated, "Some small and medium-sized enterprises in industries that require foreign workers will inevitably have to close within 10 years unless the system regarding foreign workers’ employment periods is improved," adding, "We hope the inefficiency in the current Employment Permit System, which requires diligent foreign workers to leave and re-enter the country, will be eliminated through policy improvements."

Yang Jinseok, Chairman of the Gwangju Employers Federation, said, "We will continue to hold Company Support Day every Wednesday to help our member companies succeed," and added, "The issues of population decline and workforce shortages in small and medium-sized enterprises have become serious social problems. Now, it is difficult to operate manufacturing companies without foreign workers, so the system should be improved to allow foreigners with a high likelihood of long-term residence to stay and work legally."