{
  "id": 10109046,
  "title": "[Guest essay] This Chuseok, think of the seasonal workers who plant and pick your food",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/guest-essay-this-chuseok-think-of-the-seasonal-workers-who-plant-and-10109046",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T23:52:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hankyoreh",
    "slug": "hankyoreh",
    "url": "https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_editorial/1279556.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "I am a seasonal worker from Laos. I have worked with Korean farmers, who have treated me like a son due to my dedication and positive attitude. My family in Laos struggled to make ends meet, so I came to Korea in 2023 to work and support them. I am allowed to stay in Korea for up to eight months to help address labor shortages in rural areas. However, my experience working in Korea has been far from ideal. I have been forced to switch workplaces multiple times due to unsatisfactory conditions. At one farm, I was assaulted by coworkers, and another farm had inhumane working conditions, including a lack of proper sanitation and Wi-Fi. The final farm I worked at was a hemp field, with unbearable heat and abusive treatment from my employer. Due to bureaucratic delays, I was forced to return to Laos, where many other seasonal workers like me have also faced similar struggles. Korean policymakers should make it easier for migrant workers to switch jobs without facing bureaucratic hurdles. Employers must respect workers' rights, including fair wages and safe working conditions. A recent tragic death of a Laotian seasonal worker during a heat wave highlights the urgent need for better protections for these workers. Seasonal workers contribute significantly to agriculture in Korea, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, not as disposable tools.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hankyoreh",
        "title": "[Guest essay] This Chuseok, think of the seasonal workers who plant and pick your food",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/guest-essay-this-chuseok-think-of-the-seasonal-workers-who-plant-and",
        "published": "2026-09-26T23:42:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}