Gokseong County Steps Up to Protect Foreign Workers Amid Heatwave

Adjustment of Working Hours and Distribution of Preventive Supplies
"Implementing Field-Oriented Heatwave Response Administration"

Officials from Gokseong County are discussing measures to protect foreign workers against the heatwave. Photo by Gokseong County

Gokseong County in South Jeolla Province (Governor Cho Sangrae) announced on July 8 that, amid the ongoing heatwave, it is conducting on-site inspections in cooperation with local foreign worker employment agencies (Gokseong, Seokgok, and Okgwa branches of Nonghyup) to protect the health and safety of foreign workers. The county is also implementing various measures to improve working conditions.

This inspection was organized in accordance with the Prime Minister's directive, under the three principles of 'meticulousness, safety, and kindness,' to protect outdoor workers and those vulnerable to heatwaves, with a particular focus on practical accident prevention.

The county is recommending that farms adjust working hours for foreign workers to a flexible schedule from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition, workers are being advised to avoid outdoor work during the peak heat hours between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The Gokseong Nonghyup Foreign Worker Employment Agency is facilitating discussions between workers and farms to adjust working hours. It is also distributing heatwave prevention supplies such as cooling hats and work clothes, and making efforts to lower temperatures by securing water channels inside greenhouses. Furthermore, the agency sends daily text messages to prevent heat-related accidents and plans to participate in heatwave response training organized by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation.

Seokgok Nonghyup has adjusted working hours for some farms to run from 6 a.m. to noon, allowing workers to avoid the midday heat. The agency provides guidance on heatwave safety rules the day before work, monitors workers' health after shifts, and takes immediate action when necessary. Cooling scarves, sports towels, and glucose are also being distributed.

Okgwa Nonghyup is operating a split work schedule from 6 a.m. to noon and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and is also discussing the introduction of a continuous shift from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Alongside on-site inspections, glucose is distributed in the morning, at lunch, and in the evening to help replenish energy. Some greenhouse farms have also been equipped with cooling systems to provide a more comfortable environment during the heat.

A county official stated, "There is an urgent need for sophisticated measures that foreign workers can actually feel while working in the heatwave," and added, "We will continue to implement field-oriented heatwave response administration, ensuring compliance with the five basic rules: water, shade, rest, cooling equipment, and emergency measures."

Meanwhile, the county also plans to cooperate with Nonghyup in July to provide all foreign workers and employers with training on the prevention of heat-related illnesses and guidelines for responding to heatwave advisories.