🚨 Migrant Workers: Essential Labor Force and Support System in Korea

Today Korean Social News | 2025.05.19

📌 Migrant Worker Shelters Face Budget Cuts Despite Rising Number of Users

💬 The number of users at migrant worker shelters in South Gyeongsang Province has been increasing every year, but the operating budget has actually decreased. The annual users at the Changwon hub shelter increased from 12,257 people in 2022 to 31,827 people in 2024. However, the budget decreased from 180 million won in 2023 to 180 million won again in 2025. Budget cuts for small shelters are even more severe, with some shelters having to stop Sunday operations. Officials say it's difficult to expand support due to budget limitations.

Summary

• Migrant workers are people who move around the country looking for seasonal jobs.
• They play an important role in agriculture and construction but face difficult conditions.
• Shelters and support facilities operate for them, but budget shortage is a serious problem.

1️⃣ Definition

Migrant workers are workers who travel to different parts of the country to find seasonal or temporary jobs in agriculture, construction, and other industries. Simply put, they are workers who move to places where there is work, stay for a certain period, and then move to other areas.

They serve as essential labor force in Korean society, helping solve labor shortages in rural areas and providing flexible workforce for seasonal industries.

💡 Why is this important?

• They play a key role in solving serious labor shortages in rural areas.
• They provide flexible labor needed by seasonal industries.
• They offer temporary income opportunities for low-income urban residents.
• They are essential workers supporting the sustainability of Korean agriculture and construction.

2️⃣ Characteristics and Current Status of Migrant Workers

📕 Main Characteristics of Migrant Workers

• Migrant workers come from various backgrounds. Their main characteristics are:

  • Age groups: Mostly people in their 50s and 60s, with some in their 30s and 40s.
  • Origin areas: Most are urban residents who move to rural areas.
  • Reasons for participation: Unemployment, financial difficulties, or need for extra income after retirement.
  • Work period: Usually short-term work of 2-6 months.
  • Movement patterns: Spring for farming season, summer for fruit harvesting, autumn for harvest season, etc.

• The main fields of work are agriculture and construction. Specific jobs include:

  • Agriculture: Rice planting, weeding, fruit harvesting, vegetable farming, livestock support, etc.
  • Construction: Road construction, building construction, civil engineering, and other manual labor.
  • Other fields: Tourist area cleaning, event support, logistics center work, etc.
  • Regional characteristics: Chungnam and Jeonnam focus on agriculture, while Gyeongnam and Ulsan focus on construction.

📕 Working Conditions and Treatment of Migrant Workers

• Working conditions for migrant workers remain poor. Main problems include:

  • Wage levels: Usually at or slightly above minimum wage, which is low compared to rising prices.
  • Working hours: During busy farming seasons, they often work 10-12 hours per day.
  • Work environment: Many outdoor jobs exposed to weather, often lacking safety equipment.
  • Housing: Often stay in poor temporary housing, containers, or vinyl greenhouses.
  • Social insurance: Low employment and industrial accident insurance enrollment due to short-term work.

• Government and local government support facilities are operating. Main support includes:

  • Migrant worker shelters: 13 hub shelters and 18 simple shelters nationwide.
  • Accommodation support: Up to 10,000 won per person per day for accommodation costs.
  • Job information: Job information and employer connection services.
  • Living conveniences: Basic facilities like laundry, bathing, and rest areas.
  • Counseling services: Professional services including labor and legal counseling.

Major Problems Faced by Migrant Workers

1. Low wages and unstable income: Low wages at minimum wage level and seasonal unemployment
2. Poor housing conditions: Unsanitary and uncomfortable temporary housing
3. Safety accident risks: High accident rates due to lack of safety training and protective equipment
4. Social insurance blind spots: No employment or industrial accident insurance due to short-term employment
5. Lack of information access: Limited access to job information or worker rights information

3️⃣ Support Policies and Current Status for Migrant Workers

✅ Current Status of Migrant Worker Shelter Operations

• Migrant worker shelters operate nationwide. Current operations include:

  • 13 hub shelters: Located in Seoul, Incheon, Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, Busan, Ulsan, Gyeonggi, Chungnam, Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Jeju.
  • 18 simple shelters: Small shelters in areas where migrant workers frequently pass through.
  • Annual users: About 500,000 people use all shelters annually.
  • Main services: Accommodation, job information, living facilities, counseling services, etc.
  • Operating bodies: Directly operated by local governments or privately managed.

• Shelter usage is increasing but budgets are insufficient. Current status includes:

  • Changwon hub shelter users increased 2.6 times from 12,257 in 2022 to 31,827 in 2024.
  • However, the operating budget remains frozen at 180 million won in 2025, same as previous year.
  • Simple shelters face budget cuts, with some stopping Sunday operations.
  • Growing concerns about facility aging and service quality decline.
  • After COVID-19, the number of migrant workers increased, but support systems haven't kept up.

✅ Government Support Policies for Migrant Workers

• The government implements various support policies. Main policies include:

  • Job stability funds: Support for small businesses and small farms with labor costs due to minimum wage increases.
  • Seasonal worker system: Systematic management of both foreign and domestic migrant workers.
  • Agricultural labor centers: About 180 centers nationwide that connect agricultural labor supply and demand.
  • Worker housing improvement projects: Facility cost support for improving rural worker housing.
  • Safety education enhancement: Education programs to prevent accidents in agriculture and construction.

• Regional specialized projects are also being promoted. Representative examples include:

  • Gyeongnam: Operating comprehensive migrant worker support centers, strengthening job matching services.
  • Jeonnam: Building rural labor connection platforms, providing digital-based job information.
  • Chungnam: Supporting migrant worker safety insurance enrollment, medical expense support projects.
  • Gyeongbuk: Dispatching temporary medical staff during busy farming seasons, mobile medical services.
  • Jeju: Multi-seasonal job creation programs linked with tourism industry.

4️⃣ Related Terms

🔎 Seasonal Workers

• Seasonal workers are temporary workers who work only during specific seasons.
• Seasonal workers are people temporarily employed during specific seasons when certain work is concentrated, such as planting, growing, and harvesting in agriculture, or peak seasons in tourism. In Korea, they are mainly used in agriculture during spring rice planting and autumn harvesting seasons when a lot of labor is needed.
• Main characteristics of seasonal workers include: First, work periods are usually limited to 3-6 months. Second, they are concentrated in industries with strong seasonal characteristics like agriculture, fishing, and tourism. Third, recently, a foreign seasonal worker system has also been introduced and operates.
• Korea's seasonal worker system aims to solve rural labor shortages and achieve harmonious use of domestic and foreign workers. Foreign seasonal workers can enter with E-8 visas and work in agriculture for up to 5 months, helping ease serious labor shortages in rural areas.

🔎 Agricultural Labor Connection

• Agricultural labor connection is a service that links job seekers with agricultural job opportunities.
• Agricultural labor connection is a service that connects workers looking for jobs with the labor needs of agricultural sites. As labor shortage problems in rural areas worsen, the need for systematic labor supply systems has grown, leading to expanded connection services led by government and local authorities.
• Main functions of agricultural labor connection include: First, collecting and providing job information by identifying labor demands of farms nationwide and providing them to job seekers. Second, managing job seekers by registering and managing the careers and preferences of migrant workers. Third, matching services by creating optimal combinations matching farm requirements with worker conditions.
• About 180 agricultural labor connection centers operate nationwide, and recently online matching services through digital platforms have also expanded. Through these systems, farms can secure appropriate labor when needed, and migrant workers can get stable job information.

🔎 Industrial Accidents

• Industrial accidents refer to injuries or illnesses that occur in relation to work.
• Industrial accidents refer to injuries, illnesses, disabilities, or deaths caused by accidents or work-related diseases while workers perform their duties. When recognized as work-related accidents under the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, workers can receive treatment costs, disability benefits, and other support.
• Migrant workers are particularly exposed to industrial accident risks in their work sectors. In agriculture, machinery accidents, pesticide poisoning, and falls are frequent, while in construction, falls, being caught in machinery, and overturning accidents are common. Due to the nature of short-term employment, safety education is often insufficient and safety equipment use is neglected, increasing accident risk.
• To prevent industrial accidents among migrant workers: First, strengthening employers' safety education obligations is necessary. Second, providing appropriate safety gear and guidance on proper use is important. Third, increasing industrial accident insurance enrollment rates is needed so workers can receive proper compensation when accidents occur. The government is strengthening safety management systems in agriculture and construction to address this.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What preparation is needed to work as a migrant worker?

A: Several preparations are needed to work as a migrant worker. First, physical preparation is important. Since agriculture and construction involve physically demanding work, you should check your basic fitness and health condition. Second, it's good to prepare basic work tools and clothing. While safety helmets, safety shoes, work clothes, and gloves are sometimes provided at work sites, having your own is safer and more convenient. Third, you need to solve housing issues. You can use housing provided by employers or utilize migrant worker shelters. Fourth, you should research job information in advance. It's important to check job information through agricultural labor centers or employment centers and discuss working conditions beforehand. Fifth, prepare necessary documents (ID, bank account copy, etc.) and check employment or industrial accident insurance coverage if possible. Finally, it helps to research local weather and living conditions in advance and prepare appropriate measures.

Q: Can anyone use migrant worker shelters?

A: Migrant worker shelters can basically be used by all workers who move between regions looking for jobs. There are no strict eligibility requirements, and any adult over 18 can apply. However, each shelter may have slightly different operating policies, so it's good to check in advance. The application process is usually simple. Just visit the shelter with identification and fill out an application form. Some shelters also accept phone reservations. Usage periods vary by shelter but are usually 1-2 weeks, with extensions possible in special circumstances. Usage fees are very affordable at 10,000 won or less per day, and some shelters operate for free. Services provided include accommodation, laundry facilities, bathrooms, rest areas, job information, and counseling services. Locations and contact information for shelters nationwide can be found on the Ministry of Employment and Labor website or at local employment centers.

Q: Can migrant workers also receive protection for workers' rights?

A: Yes, migrant workers receive the same protection under labor laws as other workers. The Labor Standards Act, Minimum Wage Act, and Occupational Safety and Health Act all apply. Specific rights include: First, the right to receive wages above minimum wage. The 2025 minimum wage is 10,030 won per hour, so they should receive at least this amount. Second, working hours should be 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week in principle, with overtime pay for extended work. Third, they have the right to work in safe environments, and employers must provide safety education and protective equipment. Fourth, they have the right to enroll in employment and industrial accident insurance. Even for short-term employment, they can receive benefits if they pay premiums. However, in reality, these rights are often not properly guaranteed. When rights are violated, workers can report to regional employment and labor offices or the National Ombudsman, and can also receive related counseling at migrant worker shelters. They also have the right to join labor unions or participate in collective rights protection activities.