The country’s sixth-largest city of Gwangju on April 7 announced support projects for civic groups to protect the labor rights and promote the welfare of foreign workers. (Gwangju Metropolitan City)
By Kim Hyelin
The country’s sixth-largest city of Gwangju on April 7 announced support projects for private organizations that seek to protect the labor rights and improve the welfare of foreign workers.
In February, Gwangju Metropolitan City held a public contest to choose nonprofit private entities and companies in Greater Gwangju to conduct the initiative. On March 31, nine organizations were selected after a review of applications based on applicant capacity, project content and effectiveness.
Targeting foreign workers in the region, the nine organizations will offer education on labor rights, prevention of industrial accidents, consultations on legal and grievance issues for stable employment and promotion of human rights, temporary shelters for such laborers, and support for cultural and sports activities for them.
Municipal funding support will range between KRW 12 million and KRW 24 million for each project for a combined KRW 180 million.
“Foreign workers are an important part of our regional community,” said Ju Sang-hyun, director of the city’s Foreign Residents Department. “We will do everything we can to provide diverse support to protect their labor rights and promote their welfare.”
The number of foreign workers in Gwangju and vicinity as of November 2023 was 6,006, up from 5,723 in the previous year, according to local government unit data released by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in October last year.
kimhyelin211@korea.kr
