{"id":2203218,"date":"2023-12-26T19:24:52","date_gmt":"2023-12-26T10:24:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2203218"},"modified":"2023-12-27T19:44:56","modified_gmt":"2023-12-27T10:44:56","slug":"south-korea-slashes-budget-to-support-foreign-laborers-even-as-workforce-grows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/12\/south-korea-slashes-budget-to-support-foreign-laborers-even-as-workforce-grows\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea slashes budget to support foreign laborers, even as workforce grows"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Yoon administration\u2019s 2024 budget completely dropped funding for foreign worker support centers, and the move has serious implications for South Korea as it prepares to welcome <\/span>over 165,000 foreign workers<\/span><\/a> next year.<\/span><\/p>\n This decision represents a significant <\/span>reversal<\/span><\/a> from the previous $5.3 million (7 billion won) allocated for the centers in 2023, and it risks depriving workers of essential support services.<\/span><\/p>\n Initially introduced in September to the National Assembly, this budget cut signifies a major policy change that will impact 44 support centers nationwide. These centers, <\/span>established<\/span><\/a> in 2004 and operated by nonprofit groups, have been essential in providing legal, medical and cultural education support to foreign workers.<\/span><\/p>\n The response to this budgetary shift was immediate and pointed. After receiving criticism from South Korean media outlets, the labor ministry issued a <\/span>statement<\/span><\/a> on Sept. 14 challenging the accuracy of reports that claimed the government was \u201cabandoning foreign labor management.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The international reaction was also notable. <\/span>Eight<\/span><\/a> of the 16 Asian countries that have non-professional work visa agreements with Seoul expressed concerns through official letters sent via their embassies. They highlighted the potential negative consequences of the support centers\u2019 closure due to these budget cuts.<\/span><\/p>\n Labor unions voiced their opposition too. The Migrants\u2019 Trade Union, along with over 20 other labor groups, <\/span>called<\/span><\/a> for the government to revise the budget to expand support for foreign workers in South Korea. Their statement emphasized the vulnerability of migrant workers, questioning the government\u2019s approach to their treatment and welfare.<\/span><\/p>\n