We need to introduce more foreign workers to Korea and make them stay longer!

On May 12, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises held the ‘Great Debate of Foreign Workforce Policy Transformation’ at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises in Yeouido, Seoul.

The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is an organization representing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Korea and has considerable influence.

The forum was prepared to find out the policy direction for foreign workers to respond to changes in the domestic demographic structure, resolve the manpower shortage of SMEs, and strengthen corporate competitiveness.

Lee Gyu-yong, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Labor Institute, who was responsible for the presentation, pointed out, “The impact of changes in the Korean demographic structure is deepening the total manpower shortage, the rapid aging of the labor force, and the decrease in the skilled labor force, and more. It is necessary to actively respond to such risk factors.”

To solve this problem, Research Fellow Lee suggested the △establishment of a comprehensive foreign manpower management system △extension of the period of stay, establishment of a system to prevent side effects from moving workplace △and reorganization of foreign manpower introduction system and related laws.

Next, Professor Noh Yong-jin of Seoul National University of Science and Technology said, △expanding foreign workers’ information access and strengthening their options △ preparation of measures to improve labor productivity in response to the minimum wage increase △ overall re-examination of workplace changes △ fostering skilled workers such as access by type of skilled worker and incorporation of skilled workers for re-entry exceptions are necessary.

In a panel discussion presided over by Professor Park Young-beom, Hansung University Professor Noh Min-seon, a research fellow at the Small and Medium Venture Business Research Institute, said, “△ expansion of the scale of introduction of foreign workers △introducing foreign specialists for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) △ regional arrangement at the time of selection △effective management of illegal immigrants are needed.” 

Min Dae-hong, chairman of the Korea Clay Brick Industry Cooperative, said, “The employment period of foreign workers in Korea should be significantly extended.” And he also emphasized that, “In addition, although the allowable number of employees is currently raised by 20% in local companies and root industries, it is necessary to increase the allowable number by more than 100% in order to solve the manpower shortage in the field.”

Meanwhile, Lee Young, head of the Foreign Welfare Center in Namyangju, insisted, “For foreign workers, it is necessary to △according to the 'workplace freedom principle' of the Constitution, permitting change of workplace in principle and △ it is necessary to extend the period of employment in Korea, including special re-entry cases.”

The discussion on this day suggested changes to the Korean employment and management system for foreign workers, and it is evaluated that some pressure was put on the government.

Reporter Hasung Song

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