The government on Oct. 17 announced that middle market enterprises in core manufacturing sectors that are headquartered in the Seoul metropolitan region can hire foreign workers with the E-9 (non-professional employee) visa. (Hyundai Heavy industries)

By Park Hye Ri

Middle market enterprises (MMEs) in core manufacturing sectors that are headquartered in the Seoul metropolitan region can hire foreign workers with the E-9 (non-professional employee) visa. 

This and other revisions to labor regulations were finalized on Oct. 17 at a meeting of the Foreign Workforce Policy Committee chaired by Office for Policy Coordination Minister Bang Ki-sun at Government Complex-Seoul in the capital's Jongno-gu District. 

In September last year, MMEs in such sectors based outside of the capital area that were suffering from labor shortages were allowed to hire foreign workers with the E-9 visa. This decision, however, excluded companies headquartered in the Seoul metropolitan region even if their business locations were outside of the area.

Thus the latest decision enables domestic MMEs to hire foreign staff regardless of where they are based. This change will apply from the fifth round of employment permit applications slated for December.

Customized government measures for foreign labor will include vocational training for core sectors, Korean-language education related to work and industrial safety education to allow such staff to quickly adapt and work safely.

"We expect that these required improvements will allow companies to utilize foreign talent more smoothly on-site," Minister Bang said. "We urge businesses to take extra safety precautions so that foreign workers familiarize themselves with safety rules and do their work."

hrhr@korea.kr