Lao worker's death exposes gaps in Korea's seasonal labor system
The death of a seasonal worker from Laos just three days after arriving in Korea has exposed shortcomings in local governments' oversight of foreign workers on farms, with the case highlighting a recurring practice of sending workers into the field with little time to adjust or receive adequate safety training. The worker, a Lao national in her 30s, went missing on Aug. 7 after complaining of…
The death of a Lao seasonal worker in South Korea three days after her arrival has exposed flaws in the country's system for overseeing foreign workers on farms. The 30-year-old woman went missing on August 7 after feeling ill while working in a pumpkin field in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province during a heatwave. Her body was discovered in nearby bushes the next day.
The incident has brought attention to the inadequate preparation many seasonal workers receive before entering the workforce in Korea. Workers are often sent to farms immediately after their arrival, with little time to acclimate or receive proper safety training. The Lao national arrived in Korea on August 5, completed immigration registration and medical checks in Yeoju City Hall, received three hours of Korean living orientation, before being picked up by her employer and taken to the farm - all within a single day of her arrival.
The case highlights the need for better oversight and a more gradual integration process for foreign seasonal laborers in Korea's agricultural sector.
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- Lao worker's death exposes gaps in Korea's seasonal labor system koreatimes.co.kr
