Gov't to offer counseling service for construction workers amid economic hardship

Seoul officials announced Thursday that the government will provide free mental health counseling for construction workers struggling with depression due to the economic impact of a prolonged slump in the construction sector, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Office for Government Policy Coordination announced the initiative in collaboration with the Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association and Seoul's Mapo Ward office, set to begin the following week.

The counseling service will be accessible on Mondays and Thursdays during the second and fourth weeks of each month at the construction workers' shelter in Mapo. The rise in economic difficulties among construction workers stems from the sector's decline, largely attributed to the increasing costs of raw materials, according to the government office.

To address the pressing issue of suicide among construction workers, the government has forged a close cooperative relationship with both the Mapo Ward and the Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association, aiming to provide essential support and assistance to those in need.