{"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

\"\"

A center official takes a commemorative photo of Korean language course graduates at the Korea Center for Foreign Workers\u2019 Support, July 2023 | Image: Korea Support Center for Foreign Workers<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

SUPPORT CENTERS<\/b><\/p>\n

Foreign workers in South Korea often have challenging and hazardous jobs, and they confront numerous <\/span>obstacles<\/span><\/a>, including language barriers, cultural differences and systemic disparities. These challenges are compounded by harsh working conditions, unpaid wages, abuse and <\/span>discrimination<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Korea Support Center for Foreign Workers has been a crucial resource in addressing these issues. Managed by the nonprofit \u201cWorld Love Sharing\u201d since its inception in <\/span>Dec. 2004<\/span><\/a> by the labor ministry, the organization operates the 44 centers around the country and provides legal assistance, cultural education and practical support, such as addressing wage disputes, Korean language courses and psychological support.<\/span><\/p>\n

The importance of these centers is reflected in their usage <\/span>statistics<\/span><\/a>. In October alone, over 8,000 foreign workers received varied forms of assistance from the centers. The Ministry of Economy and Finance also recognized their importance in its <\/span>report<\/span><\/a> amid an expected increase in foreign worker numbers.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the future of these support centers is in jeopardy. An official from the cultural education department of the Korea Center for Foreign Workers\u2019 Support told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that the staff learned of the center\u2019s impending closure abruptly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe received a single termination of agreement notice, which read that the government will not provide any more funding starting from next year,\u201d the official surnamed Shin said. \u201cWe won\u2019t be able to operate the center starting Jan. 1.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Choi Jong-bok, the director of a support center in Uijeongbu, expressed deep disappointment in an <\/span>op-ed<\/span><\/a> he penned for a local South Korean media publication. Choi emphasized the sense of betrayal felt by the center\u2019s employees, many of whom have served since 2007.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choi\u2019s statement highlighted the need for the government to recognize the perspectives and contributions of center workers, foreign laborers and small businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shin further noted the anxiety among the center\u2019s clients \u2014 the foreign workers who depend on the center for legal and other support.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMany have expressed concerns about feeling lost without the center and have asked what they should do next,\u201d they told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Currently, the only alternative Shin and her colleagues have been able to offer these workers is to seek assistance from employment centers in the city, a solution that may not fully address their specific needs and challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

ROK labor minister Lee Jeong-sik speaks to foreign workers employed at a textile manufacturing company in Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 13, 2023 | Image: ROK Ministry of Labor and Employment<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

UNCONVINCING FUTURE MEASURES\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The South Korean labor ministry defended the Yoon administration\u2019s budget cuts, <\/span>explaining<\/span><\/a> that the ministry and the Human Resources Development Services of Korea (HRDK) will take over the role of supporting foreign workers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key aspects of this plan include deploying multilingual counselors at local offices, enhancing response times to address concerns and offering unified training through the HRDK.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite these proposed changes, there are growing doubts about the efficacy of this new approach, particularly in light of the government\u2019s conflicting actions regarding immigration policy and workforce management.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kim Jong-jin, the director of the Korea Worker Institute & Union Center, a pro-labor think tank, expressed skepticism about the government\u2019s plans.<\/span><\/p>\n

He criticized the government for a perceived \u201clack of consideration for the needs of foreign workers\u201d and pointed out the contradictions in its policy directions, especially in the context of addressing South Korea\u2019s workforce shortage amid a demographic crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n

South Korea has seen an increased number of foreign workers, with a recent <\/span>Statistics Korea survey<\/span><\/a> showing a <\/span>9.5% increase<\/span><\/a> on-year in the number of employed foreign nationals to 923,000 in 2023. As the country\u2019s native population continues to <\/span>age and shrink<\/span><\/a>, South Korean businesses will need to increasingly rely on foreign workers, but the closure of these centers will serve as a disincentive for workers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kim also noted that the foreign worker support centers, many operated by civic organizations, offer a more welcoming and effective approach for workers seeking assistance with labor rights violations than organizations run by the government.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf the budget is implemented as planned, the centers will inevitably close. They can\u2019t continue to function without government funding,\u201d he explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kim criticized the government\u2019s approach to labor issues and human rights, suggesting the Yoon administration views labor as a commodity and overlooks the actual needs and challenges foreign workers face.<\/span><\/p>\n

He also argued that the government\u2019s handling of funding labor unions and civic organizations is problematic. The government treats these funds more as a \u201cconvenient financial resource\u201d rather than a commitment to worker welfare, he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe South Korean government\u2019s views are out of step with global trends. I believe that the country is neglecting its duties in the context of the global economy, particularly in the realm of labor and human rights.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Business & Economy<\/span><\/a>Culture & Society<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"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 over 165,000 foreign workers next year. This decision represents a significant reversal from the previous $5.3 million (7 billion won) allocated for the centers in 2023, and it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10909,"featured_media":2203219,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[24,25],"yoast_head":"\nSouth Korea slashes budget to support foreign laborers, even as workforce grows - KOREA PRO<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/12\/south-korea-slashes-budget-to-support-foreign-laborers-even-as-workforce-grows\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"South Korea slashes budget to support foreign laborers, even as workforce grows - KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"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 over 165,000 foreign workers next year. 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