Jeonnam Province Takes the Lead in Protecting Foreign Workers

Comprehensive Plan with 17 Initiatives in 5 Key Areas
Mobile Counseling Centers Expanded from 6 to 22 Locations

A foreign worker receiving counseling at the Jeonnam Immigration Foreigners Comprehensive Support Center. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeonnam Province has established a "Comprehensive Plan for the Protection of Foreign Workers' Labor and Human Rights in Vulnerable Sectors" to safeguard the human rights of foreign workers and create a safe working environment.

This plan focuses on preventing human rights violations against foreign workers and building a system that enables post-incident support in case of crises. In particular, it has enhanced its effectiveness by extensively reflecting the opinions of migrant worker organizations, experts, and related agencies.

Through this comprehensive plan, Jeonnam Province will actively promote a total of 17 key initiatives across five core areas to effectively protect the human rights of foreign workers and create a healthy, discrimination-free workplace.

The five core areas are: ▲ alleviating the social isolation of foreign workers ▲ improving awareness among employers and workers ▲ conducting surveys on labor and human rights conditions ▲ establishing a social safety net ▲ supporting daily life recovery based on the local community.

Jeonnam Province will strengthen the foundation to alleviate social isolation and support the stable settlement of foreign workers. To this end, the Jeonnam Immigration Foreigners Comprehensive Support Center will serve as a hub, connecting and guiding foreign nationals so they can easily and accurately access and utilize various administrative, labor, and welfare information.

To ensure that foreign workers who face language and cultural barriers can easily access essential information, Jeonnam Province also plans to provide customized guidance services in multiple languages (the Jeonnam Welcome Book).

The number of "mobile counseling centers," which are currently operating in areas with high concentrations of foreign nationals, will be expanded from the current six to twenty-two locations. These centers will not only provide counseling on daily life and labor issues, but will also offer depression prevention education and support for community activities by nationality, thereby supporting psychological stability and the formation of social solidarity.

Kim Myungshin, Director of Population, Youth, and Immigration at Jeonnam Province, stated, "Foreign workers are essential personnel for our local industries and valuable neighbors." He added, "Protecting and respecting their basic human rights is the minimum courtesy and duty we owe as members of the same society." He further emphasized, "In order for both Korean nationals and foreigners to create a safe and healthy Jeonnam together, the interest and active participation of all residents and the local community are essential."