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.

This information was provided by Mr. Vu Truong Giang, Acting Director of the Department of Overseas Labor Management ( Ministry of Interior ), at the conference summarizing the activities of sending workers abroad through cooperation between Vietnamese localities and South Korea. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Interior in coordination with the People's Committee of Nghe An province on the afternoon of October 20th.

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

Over 10,000 Vietnamese workers have gone to work seasonally in South Korea.

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

As of September 2025, 16 provinces and cities had signed agreements and sent workers to South Korea under the seasonal labor program. Summary from these localities shows that cooperation agreements were signed at various levels. The total number of workers who have gone to South Korea under this program is over 10,000, including 3,161 from Ninh Binh, 2,373 from Da Nang , and 1,467 from Dong Thap.

The demand for seasonal workers in South Korea's agricultural sector is high. In recent years, South Korea has allocated an average of 70,000-80,000 quotas per year to meet the seasonal labor needs in rural and fishing areas.

On June 24, 2025, the South Korean government decided to add 22,731 more recruitment quotas for the second phase of 2025, after having already recruited 72,698 people in the first phase. This brings the total number of seasonal workers to 95,700 in 2025 for 100 administrative units (districts and counties). This represents a 41% increase compared to 2024.

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

We propose that the Government continue to expand the implementation of the program.

According to local assessments, this seasonal labor program, a collaborative effort between localities of the two countries, contributes to job creation, increased income for workers, and promotes friendly relations between Vietnam and South Korea. Upon returning home, workers accumulate an income of approximately 80-100 million VND. Many families have escaped poverty, improved their living standards, and contributed to the goal of sustainable poverty reduction and rural development. Some families have even risen to become well-off or wealthy households.

Vietnamese workers are employed seasonally in South Korea.

However, due to climatic differences (the weather is very cold in winter in South Korea), some workers face difficulties in living and working there. In addition, the work is seasonal, so in some cases, working hours are not guaranteed as agreed upon in the signed contract.

To improve the effectiveness of sending seasonal workers to South Korea through cooperation agreements between Vietnamese and South Korean localities in the future, delegates proposed that the Government continue to expand the program due to its effectiveness and suitability to the capabilities and qualifications of local workers; and to finalize the legal framework by adding the form of sending seasonal workers under cooperation agreements between localities and foreign parties to the Law on Vietnamese Workers Working Abroad under Contract (amended).

Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior needs to propose to the South Korean side to further strengthen the protection of workers' rights. This includes requiring employers to strictly adhere to working conditions (working hours, rest periods, wages, accommodation), avoiding situations of unpaid wages, delayed wages, or wages below the stipulated amount; and proposing a financial mechanism to support workers in completing their contracts and returning home on time, such as: assistance with return airfare, support or reduction of housing 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