Announcement from the Ministry of Employment and Labor
From October 7 to October 18, 2024, the Ministry of Employment and Labor will be accepting new employment permit applications for foreign workers (E-9 visa) through local employment offices nationwide. This application process is aimed at employers across various industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and construction, who are looking to hire foreign workers. Let’s dive into the application details and procedures.
1. Scope of Employment Permits and Key Industries
In this round of employment permits, a total of 33,803 foreign workers will be recruited across diverse sectors experiencing labor shortages. The allocated numbers per industry are as follows:
- Manufacturing: 20,134 workers
- Shipbuilding: 1,300 workers
- Agriculture and Livestock: 3,648 workers
- Fisheries: 2,249 workers
- Construction: 1,414 workers
- Services: 5,058 workers
The program aims to address labor shortages in South Korea by allowing the employment of foreign workers, with particular emphasis on the manufacturing and agricultural sectors, which are in desperate need of additional manpower. The shipbuilding and construction sectors are also recognized as critical areas where foreign labor is essential.
Introduction of the Forestry Workplace Addition System
One notable aspect of this application round is the introduction of the Forestry Workplace Addition System. This system has been adapted from the existing agricultural workplace addition system to reflect the seasonal nature of forestry work. It enables employers to reduce their hiring burdens during off-peak periods while providing foreign workers with job security. More detailed information about this new system will be posted on the official employment permit program website (www.work24.go.kr), so forestry-related employers should stay tuned and prepare their applications accordingly.
2. Application Process and Steps
Employers wishing to hire foreign workers (E-9 visa) must first make efforts to recruit local workers for seven days. Following this, they can visit their local employment office or apply online for the employment permit. The online application is available through the official employment permit program website.
The application process is as follows:
- Local Recruitment Efforts: Employers must attempt to hire local workers for a minimum of seven days prior to submitting their application.
- Submit Employment Permit Application: Once local recruitment efforts have been completed, employers can submit their application via the local employment office or online.
- Announcement of Employment Permit Decisions: Results will be released on November 4.
- Issuance of Employment Permits: For manufacturing, shipbuilding, and mining sectors, permits will be issued from November 5 to 8, while permits for agriculture, fisheries, forestry, construction, and services will be distributed from November 11 to 15.
3. The Importance of the E-9 Visa Employment Permit System
The foreign worker employment permit system plays a crucial role in South Korea’s economy. By allowing the legal hiring of foreign workers in sectors facing labor shortages, it addresses employers’ staffing issues while also providing stable job opportunities for foreign workers. This upcoming round of applications aims to fulfill workforce needs across various industries, particularly with the introduction of new measures in the forestry sector that enhance employment flexibility.
It is vital for employers to effectively leverage this permit system to secure the necessary workforce in a timely manner while ensuring a stable employment environment for foreign workers. Please note that this information is current as of the time of writing, and government policies may change. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal interpretation or advice.
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