Gov't to Ease Labor Shortage with Foreign Workers

The labor shortage facing small and midsize businesses, farmers and fisheries will be eased with the help of foreign workers returning after COVID lockdowns are lifted.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor said Tuesday that it is starting to admit foreign workers in large numbers to the country again.

Some 26,000 foreign workers who have already received work permits but have been stranded in their countries due to the pandemic will get here by August. A total of 73,000 are expected by the end of this year.

In 2019, 51,366 foreign workers arrived on E-9 non-professional work visas, but during the pandemic only 6,688 arrived in 2020 and 10,501 last year.