| Policy Tasks for Foreign Worker Employment amid Changes in the Agricultural Employment Environment | |||
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| Author | Eom, Jinyoung | ||
| Views | 82557 | Publication Date | 2021.02.26 |
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Background and Purpose Although foreign workers are commonly seen in rural areas, newspapers still report that agricultural labor is in shortage. They say that it is not easy to find foreign workers in rural areas due to COVID-19. The decline in the number of farm households and aging in rural areas also affect the agricultural employment environment. The total amount of agricultural labor force has decreased and the characteristics have changed. Also, there has been a difference in the type of labor input depending on the size of farm households. In response, the central and local governments have implemented policies to increase domestic agricultural workforce, such as attracting returning farmers and fostering young farmers; and policies to induce foreign agricultural workers through the employment permit system and seasonal employment. Although several years have passed since the employment permit system and the seasonal labor program were implemented nationwide, excessive demand for agricultural labor continues, and the employment of undocumented foreign workers in illegal stay is prevalent. In order to precisely grasp the characteristics of the agricultural labor market, in which foreign workers are hired both legally and illegally, this study investigated and analyzed the employment status of foreign workers, including those undocumented in the agricultural sector. Based on the analysis results, this research presented problems of the current employment system for foreign workers in the agricultural sector and the mid- to long-term policy directions to tackle them. Research Methodology We reviewed the issues and problems related to the employment of foreign workers and prepared improvement measures by referring to prior studies at home and abroad related to foreign worker employment in the agriculture sector. Using various secondary statistical data and quantitative models such as the Agricultural Census and Farmhouse Economy Survey, we analyzed the employment status and determinants of foreign workers and derived implications. In addition, in order to compensate for the shortcomings in the second statistical data and the 2018 survey data, and to reflect the characteristics of the recent agricultural employment market, we conducted a survey through local KREI correspondents and human resource agencies. In addition, through in-depth interviews with farmers currently hiring foreign workers and personnel in charge of the labor force management, we investigated the employment routes and conditions of undocumented foreign workers, which could not be identified through statistical data and surveys, and the gap between the actual situation and the system. In addition, the feasibility of applying it to Korea’s agricultural sector were examined based on the analysis of foreign workforce policies in other countries. (For more information, please refer to the report.) Researchers: Eom Jinyoung , Park Daesik , Cho Seoungyeon , Kim Younjin Research period: 2020. 1. ~ 2020. 10. E-mail address: jeom@krei.re.kr |
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