Seasonal labor demand in Korea increased by 41%, opportunities for Vietnamese workers

The demand for seasonal labor in the agricultural sector in Korea is increasing. As of September, there were more than 10,000 Vietnamese workers from 16 provinces and cities going to Korea for seasonal work.

The information was given by Mr. Vu Truong Giang, Acting Director of the Department of Overseas Labor Management ( Ministry of Home Affairs ), at the conference to review the activities of sending workers to work abroad under the form of cooperation between Vietnamese and Korean localities. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs in coordination with the People's Committee of Nghe An province on the afternoon of October 20.

Mr. Vu Truong Giang, Acting Director of the Department of Overseas Labor Management (Ministry of Home Affairs).

More than 10,000 Vietnamese workers go to work seasonally in Korea

According to Mr. Vu Truong Giang, in 2022, the Government issued Resolution No. 59/NQ-CP on continuing to pilot sending Vietnamese workers to work seasonally in Korea under the form of cooperation between localities of the two countries.

As of September 2025, 16 provinces and cities have signed and sent workers to Korea to work under the seasonal labor program. Synthesis from localities shows that the signing of cooperation agreements is carried out at many different levels. The total number of workers who have gone to Korea under this program is more than 10,000, of which Ninh Binh alone has 3,161 workers going abroad, Da Nang has 2,373 workers going abroad, Dong Thap has 1,467 workers going abroad.

The demand for seasonal labor in the agricultural sector in Korea is increasing. In recent years, Korea has issued an average quota of 70,000 - 80,000 people/year to meet the demand for seasonal labor in rural areas and fisheries.

On June 24, 2025, the Korean Government decided to add 22,731 admission quotas for the second phase in 2025, after accepting 72,698 people in the first phase, bringing the total number of seasonal workers to 95,700 people in 2025 for 100 administrative units (districts and counties). This number increased by 41% compared to 2024.

Mr. Vu Truong Giang said: "The average income of workers in Korea is high, from 30 - 47 million VND/person/month (equivalent to 1.8 - 2.5 million won/month), not including overtime and after deducting accommodation expenses."

Recommend the Government to continue expanding the program implementation

According to the assessment of the localities, this is a seasonal labor cooperation program between the localities of the two countries, contributing to creating jobs, increasing income for workers and promoting the friendly relationship between Vietnam and Korea. After returning home, workers accumulated an income of about 80 - 100 million VND. Many families have escaped poverty, improved their lives, contributing to the goal of sustainable poverty reduction and new rural development. Some families have become well-off and rich households.

Vietnamese workers do seasonal work in Korea.

However, due to the difference in climate (the weather is very cold in winter in Korea), some workers have difficulty living and working. In addition, the work is seasonal in nature, so there are cases where working hours are not guaranteed according to the signed agreement.

To make the work of sending workers to work seasonally in Korea under the form of cooperation between localities of Vietnam and Korea more effective in the coming time, delegates recommended that the Government continue to expand the implementation of the program due to its effectiveness and suitability to the capacity and qualifications of local workers; and move towards perfecting the legal framework in the direction of adding the form of sending workers to work seasonally under cooperation agreements between localities and foreign parties to the Law on Vietnamese Workers Working Abroad under Contract (amended).

In addition, the Ministry of Home Affairs should propose to the Korean side to further strengthen the protection of labor rights. Require employers to strictly comply with labor conditions (working hours, rest, wages, accommodation), avoid unpaid wages, late wages or lower wages than prescribed; at the same time, propose financial mechanisms to support workers to complete their contracts and return home on time, such as: support for return airfare, support, reduction of housing rental costs, etc.

thanhnien.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nhu-cau-lao-dong-thoi-vu-tai-han-quoc-tang-41-co-hoi-cho-lao-dong-viet-post884913.html