Kazakhstan Added as 18th Employment Permit Country

The government has expanded the list of countries eligible for introducing foreign workers through the Employment Permit System by adding Kazakhstan as the 18th designated sending country. This designation was confirmed at the 49th Foreign Workforce Policy Committee meeting on August 14, led by Minister for Government Policy Coordination Lim Ki-keun.

Kazakhstan joins a growing list of countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam, that have been chosen for this purpose. The government cited Kazakhstan's robust infrastructure and the Kazakh government's commitment to preventing illegal stays as reasons for the decision. Starting in 2028, Kazakh workers will be integrated into the country's workforce under this system.

This move aims to provide a more diverse pool of candidates and a stable supply of labor for the construction industry. The Employment Permit System's management process for foreign workers in the construction sector will also be reorganized to be more flexible, allowing movement between sites under certain conditions. Additionally, the government has decided to tighten accountability for labor law violations by extending them from individual sites to employers.

This measure is set to take effect from March 2027, providing a six-month grace period to prevent confusion. The changes are expected to help address labor shortages in the industrial sector.