Hwaseong-si to Conduct Joint Inspection of Foreign Seasonal Workers' Accommodations

Eliminating Human Rights and Safety Blind Spots

Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi Province is launching inspections of accommodations for foreign seasonal workers to address human rights and safety blind spots.

On the 15th, Hwaseong City announced that it will conduct joint inspections of accommodations at 54 farms employing foreign seasonal workers in cooperation with the Hwaseong Fire Station. This inspection aims to strengthen the protection of foreign workers' human rights, living safety, and the prevention of fire and disaster accidents.

A joint inspection team composed of employees from Hwaseong City and Hwaseong Fire Station is visiting the accommodations of foreign seasonal workers to check safety conditions. Photo by Hwaseong City

To alleviate labor shortages caused by rural aging, the city attracts foreign seasonal workers every year. The number of foreign seasonal workers increased from 53 workers at 21 farms in 2023 to 102 workers at 33 farms last year, and expanded further to 135 workers at 54 farms this year.

Inspections are conducted each time foreign seasonal workers arrive at each farm, directly assessing the workers' living conditions and compliance with labor conditions on-site. An interpreter participates in the inspections to facilitate communication with the workers. Safety education, including how to use fire extinguishers and respond to emergencies, is also provided to the workers.

In addition to the accommodation inspections, the city is concurrently providing living and safety education to seasonal workers shortly after their arrival. Jeong Ji-young, Director of the Agricultural and Marine Affairs Bureau of Hwaseong City, stated, "We plan to strengthen field-centered inspections and preventive activities to ensure that foreign workers can live in a safe and comfortable environment."