Laotian Seasonal Workers Assigned to Local Farms
Supporting Tomato, Strawberry, and Other Crop Production
As seasonal foreign workers from Laos entered Imsil County, Jeonbuk for the first time, it is expected to help alleviate the labor shortage in rural areas.
According to the county on September 5, eleven seasonal foreign workers from Laos arrived the previous day and will begin providing essential labor support to local farms.
Seasonal foreign workers from Laos have entered Imsil County, Jeollabuk-do for the first time, and it is expected to help alleviate the labor shortage in rural areas. Provided by Imsil County
These Laotian seasonal workers, who entered for the first time, were selected under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the introduction of seasonal workers signed between Imsil County and the Laotian government in February. At the welcome ceremony held on this day, they met their employers for the first time.
After arrival, the workers underwent drug testing and pre-employment training, and will be assigned to farms within the county that cultivate tomatoes, strawberries, and other crops. They are scheduled to work for five to eight months, engaging in tasks such as planting and harvesting.
NH Nonghyup Bank’s Imsil County branch will provide financial education and assist with opening bank accounts so that the workers can directly receive and manage their wages.
In particular, the arrival of these Laotian seasonal workers is expected to play a significant role beyond simply securing labor. It will expand international cooperation with Laos and help fill labor gaps that may arise if workers from Vietnam or the Philippines are unable to enter the country, as the program had previously relied solely on those nationalities.
To prepare for an expected increase in demand for foreign seasonal workers in 2026, the county is accepting applications from farms and agricultural corporations wishing to employ workers for more than five months through each township and town office until the 30th of this month.
To increase understanding of the seasonal worker program among prospective employers and agricultural corporations, and to strengthen the operation of the system, the county will hold informational sessions at the Osu Town Office and the Imsil County Farmers’ Education Center on the 9th and 12th of this month.
The county expects that, as related guidelines are revised to narrow the scope of family recommendations for marriage immigrants to immediate family members and reduce the number of permitted workers, the introduction of workers under new MOUs will continue to expand in the future.
Additionally, to ensure the stable supply and operation of the foreign seasonal worker program, the county is moving away from its previous heavy reliance on Vietnam and the Philippines. Starting this year, it is actively pursuing diversification of sending countries by expanding the recruitment of workers from Laos and Cambodia.
County Governor Sim Min said, "We welcome the first arrival of Laotian workers and hope they will become valuable partners to our local farms. We will continue to support the workers so that their rights are respected and they can work in a safe environment."
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