Gov't calls for better protection for vulnerable workers amid heat wave

The government has urged for enhanced safeguards for vulnerable outdoor laborers and livestock in the face of an ongoing heat wave, despite all serious alerts having been lifted across the nation. On Sunday, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters convened a meeting with relevant ministries and regional authorities to reassess emergency protocols aimed at combating extreme heat.

The headquarters emphasized the need for all interagency response teams to prioritize the protection of high-risk groups, including migrant workers and elderly farmers. Earlier in the day, Kim Kwang-yong, the chief of the headquarters, toured Yesan County, located roughly 100 kilometers south of Seoul, to assess working conditions for foreign seasonal farmers and evaluate the impact of heat on livestock.

This visit came after heat-related fatalities were reported in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, and Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province, where migrant workers faced language barriers that left them exposed to safety risks. Kim urged farm owners to ensure adequate water supply, shade, and rest periods for their workers. Following the meeting, officials distributed heat stroke prevention manuals to the affected regions.