More Foreign Workers Face Layoff
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The current economic slowdown is hitting the job market for foreigners, as thousands of foreign workers face being laid off, the Ministry of Labor said Sunday.
In October, 1,149 workers lost their jobs due to shutdown of plants or restructuring, which is more than a 1.7-fold increase from the same period last year.
Since more than 80 percent of foreigners work at small companies with fewer than 30 staff members, they are the first to suffer from an economic downturn.
The number of legal workers holding E-9 visas has increased to 159,324 from last year's 122,908 but the number of jobs fell to 41,729 from 44,667 in October last year.
The labor administration has set out measures to relocate the jobless manpower. Those who were laid off due to management problems will be introduced to new companies and should there be a wage delay, the government will intervene to make sure they receive all arrears.
The government will also move to deport those staying here illegally. Officials will be providing a consulting service at shelters for illegal aliens.
According to the employment permit system, a foreign worker here could change his or her workplace no more than three times regardless of the reason during the five-year permit period.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
Staff Reporter
The current economic slowdown is hitting the job market for foreigners, as thousands of foreign workers face being laid off, the Ministry of Labor said Sunday.
In October, 1,149 workers lost their jobs due to shutdown of plants or restructuring, which is more than a 1.7-fold increase from the same period last year.
Since more than 80 percent of foreigners work at small companies with fewer than 30 staff members, they are the first to suffer from an economic downturn.
The number of legal workers holding E-9 visas has increased to 159,324 from last year's 122,908 but the number of jobs fell to 41,729 from 44,667 in October last year.
The labor administration has set out measures to relocate the jobless manpower. Those who were laid off due to management problems will be introduced to new companies and should there be a wage delay, the government will intervene to make sure they receive all arrears.
The government will also move to deport those staying here illegally. Officials will be providing a consulting service at shelters for illegal aliens.
According to the employment permit system, a foreign worker here could change his or her workplace no more than three times regardless of the reason during the five-year permit period.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
Labels: Korea, unemployment
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