Useful Info

Criteria for Determining Eligible Industries for Hiring Foreign Workers
The industries eligible for hiring foreign workers are strictly managed through the Employment Permit System. The Employment Permit System is a program that allows the introduction of foreign workers only in industries where there is a shortage of domestic labor. Therefore, the eligible industries for hiring foreign workers are determined based on the following criteria.
1. Labor Supply and Demand by Industry
Domestic Recruitment Difficulties: A comprehensive assessment of whether it is difficult to recruit domestic workers in the relevant industry.
Industry Characteristics: Consideration of characteristics of specific industries such as 3D jobs (dirty, dangerous, and demeaning), labor-intensive industries, etc.
2. International Agreements
Agreements with Sending Countries: Consideration of job types for workers sent from countries that have agreements with Korea.
Labor Demand and Supply: Adjustment of labor demand and supply situations between the two countries.
3. Economic Spillover Effects
Enhancing Industry Competitiveness: Evaluation of whether introducing foreign workers contributes to strengthening the competitiveness of the relevant industry.
Regional Economic Activation: Consideration of impacts on the local economy.
4. Social Consensus
Public Sentiment: Consideration of public perception of foreign workers and social consensus.
Employment Market Stability: Comprehensive review of impacts on the domestic employment market.
5. Laws and Regulations
Related Laws: Compliance with the Act on the Employment of Foreign Workers and subordinate regulations is required.
Government Policies: May vary according to the government's foreign workforce policy direction.
6. Major Eligible Employment Industries
Manufacturing: Companies with fewer than 300 regular workers or capital of 8 billion won or less
Construction: All construction projects (except for some limited cases)
Agriculture and Livestock/Fishery: Crop cultivation, livestock farming, fisheries, etc.
Services: Restaurants, accommodations, cleaning services, etc.