Gwangju City is enhancing its management system for workers' rights, safety, and working conditions in response to the expansion of its seasonal labor program aimed at addressing rural labor shortages.
On September 14, Gwangju City, in collaboration with the Jeonnam Agricultural Cooperative, held a workshop for officials responsible for the 2027 seasonal labor and agricultural employment program, providing practical training for the stable operation of next year's program.
More than 100 participants attended the workshop, including representatives from the agricultural cooperative and team leaders from local governments.
This training focused on improving management capabilities regarding potential issues such as wages, labor contracts, human rights, and safety incidents that may arise in rural settings, rather than merely increasing the number of seasonal workers.
The workshop shared policy directions for the 2027 seasonal labor program, as well as updates and operational guidelines for rural labor brokerage centers.
Key training topics included the preparation of labor contracts and wage payments, which are areas where disputes between employers and seasonal workers are likely to occur.
Training also covered the protection of seasonal workers' rights, addressing grievances, and preventing safety incidents that may occur during agricultural work.
Particularly emphasized were the procedures for enrolling in the three mandatory insurances for seasonal workers: wage arrears guarantee insurance, agricultural and fishery safety insurance, and accident insurance, to enhance understanding among field personnel.
The workshop also shared successful operational cases from various regions and discussed plans to expand public seasonal labor operations.
The seasonal labor program allows for the legal employment of foreign workers in agriculture and fisheries during peak seasons when labor is in high demand.
As rural areas face an aging population and declining numbers, securing labor has become increasingly challenging. Seasonal workers play a crucial role in meeting labor demands during busy agricultural periods, but as the program expands, the responsibility for managing workers' wages, housing, rights, and safety becomes more critical.
The government is also reforming its systems to strengthen working conditions and protect the rights of seasonal workers as the program expands.
Accordingly, Gwangju City aims not only to supply seasonal workers to farms but also to enhance the practical capabilities of operating agencies, such as local governments and agricultural cooperatives, to prevent issues that may arise during the workers' employment and living processes.
Feedback and suggestions for system improvements gathered during the workshop will be incorporated into the 2027 business plan.
Additionally, the city plans to continuously share relevant information with local governments and agricultural cooperatives and monitor the operational status of the seasonal labor program to ensure its stable implementation.
Kim Hyun-mi, head of the Agricultural Policy Division at Gwangju City, stated, “For the stable establishment of the seasonal labor program, it is essential to guarantee workers' rights and safety while ensuring responsible employment management by farmers. We will strengthen cooperation with relevant agencies to provide timely labor to farms and ensure a safe and respectful working environment for seasonal workers.”
Meanwhile, the government is expanding the operation of foreign seasonal workers and public seasonal labor programs to address rural labor shortages while also enhancing protective measures for workers. The Ministry of Justice is promoting the mandatory use of standard labor contracts and strengthening training on human rights violations this year, while the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is implementing three mandatory insurances to bolster protections for seasonal workers' wages and safety in agricultural work.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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