Changes to the E-8 Visa Program for Seasonal Agricultural and Fisheries Workers
The seasonal worker program in South Korea’s agriculture and fisheries sector, known as the E-8 visa system, has undergone some changes, offering foreign workers a better working environment. In this article, we’ll dive into the key alterations of the E-8 visa program for seasonal workers and how these changes are impacting foreign seasonal laborers.
Major Changes in the Seasonal Worker System for Agriculture and Fisheries
1. Expanded Scope of Work
The range of permitted activities for public seasonal workers has been broadened. Previously, there were issues with agricultural cooperatives suffering operational losses when no labor was present due to the salary-based system. To address this, the scope has been expanded to include tasks such as sorting, washing, packaging, and primary processing of agricultural products, as well as seedling management, all while keeping the total working hours of employees within 30%. This change allows seasonal workers to perform a wider variety of tasks while balancing the interests of both workers and farms.
2. Improved Minimum Wage Guarantee Standards
The criteria for minimum wage guarantees, previously based on the number of working days, will now shift to an hourly basis. From now on, wages will be guaranteed for those working 35 hours or more per week, providing seasonal workers with greater flexibility in relation to their work environment.
3. Reduction in the Number of Married Immigrant Workers They Can Invite
To prevent fraudulent invitations and illegal employment assistance, the number of seasonal workers a married immigrant can invite has been reduced from 20 to a maximum of 10, including siblings and their spouses. This change is aimed at enhancing the transparency of the system and preventing illegal activities.
Unification of Residency Qualifications and Extension of Stay Period
1. Unified Residency Qualification (E-8)
To eliminate confusion caused by having two separate residency qualifications based on stay length (C-4 and E-8), there will now only be a single residency qualification (E-8). This simplification is expected to streamline both the foreign registration and stay extension processes.
2. Extension of Stay Period
The maximum stay period for the E-8 visa, which was previously set at 5 months, will now be extended to a maximum of 8 months. This change is intended to alleviate administrative burdens for both workers and local governments, creating a stable working environment for seasonal laborers.
Enhanced Protection of Seasonal Workers’ Rights
1. Prevention and Remediation of Human Rights Violations
To protect the human rights of seasonal workers, there will be guarantees for re-employment in cases of violations and strengthened systems for effective remedies based on the type of infringement. This will involve cooperative efforts between relevant agencies to set up joint inspection functions that focus on protecting the rights of foreign workers.
2. Transparency in Administrative Costs
Administrative costs incurred during the introduction and dispatch of seasonal workers will be disclosed to the laborers, with thorough measures in place to eliminate the involvement of individuals and organizations. This initiative aims to protect the workers’ rights and ensure fair operation of the system.
Conclusion
The recent changes to the seasonal worker program in the agriculture and fisheries sector are poised to yield positive outcomes for both foreign laborers and farms. Notably, the improvement in minimum wage guarantee standards and the extension of stay periods will help ensure a stable livelihood and job security for workers. It is hoped that these changes will continue to foster growth in the agriculture and fisheries sectors while safeguarding the rights of seasonal workers.