South Korea finds 84 violations in monthlong inspection of seasonal migrant workers’ housing, rights

Government inspections of farms and fishing households employing foreign seasonal workers found 84 violations over one month, including substandard housing and alleged rights abuses, the Justice Ministry said Thursday.

The ministry said it inspected 849 workplaces in 15 cities and counties and interviewed 2,035 seasonal workers from April 1 to 30. It found 84 violations at 61 workplaces across eight cities and counties.

Investigators from the Korea Immigration Service are conducting a three-month nationwide review through June 30 covering 3,445 workplaces in 27 cities and counties and 7,997 seasonal workers. The inspections focus on overall working and living conditions, including suspected involvement of illegal brokers, unpaid wages, contract violations and whether adequate housing is provided.

In the interim results released Thursday, the ministry cited 34 cases involving inadequate housing, including 16 cases of providing container housing and 18 cases of missing fire-prevention equipment such as extinguishers. It also reported 25 labor contract violations, including failure to pay the minimum wage or overtime, failure to guarantee days off, and wage arrears. Another 25 cases involved alleged human rights abuses, including restricting phone use and verbal abuse.

By region, Goryeong County in North Gyeongsang Province recorded the most violations with 29 cases, followed by Uiryeong County in South Gyeongsang (10). Changnyeong County in South Gyeongsang and Nonsan and Yesan in South Chungcheong each had six, Miryang in South Gyeongsang had two, and Gochang in North Jeolla and Damyang in South Jeolla had one each.

The immigration policy bureau said it has demanded corrective action from workplaces and local governments where violations were found. Depending on the severity, it plans to impose penalty points and restrict the assignment of seasonal workers.

For alleged rights abuses, the Migrant Rights Protection Task Force will begin detailed investigations and, if confirmed, start relief procedures through the Foreigners’ Human Rights Protection and Rights Promotion Council, the ministry said.

If broker involvement is suspected, the ministry said it will immediately launch targeted investigations and seek punishment, including referring illegal brokers to prosecutors. A revised Immigration Control Act banning and penalizing broker activity took effect Jan. 23; violations are punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won.

Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho said, “Human rights violations against seasonal workers cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.” He said the ministry will strengthen on-site inspections through June 30 to ensure meaningful protection and, after the inspection period ends, improve the system so the 1345 immigration hotline can more actively receive reports through multilingual counselors.