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Be Sure to Sign up for Compulsory Insurances When Hiring Foreign Seasonal Workers

  • Date

    2026.02.11.

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Be Sure to Sign up for Compulsory Insurances When Hiring Foreign Seasonal Workers
- Briefing session on the amendment and implementation of the Special Act on the Support of Agricultural and Fisheries Labor to be held

  The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) announced that it would be holding a briefing session on the amendment of the Special Act on the Support of Agricultural and Fisheries Labor—which stipulates wage payment and injury/disease compensation guarantee for foreign seasonal workers—at the Government Sejong Convention Center on Wednesday, February 4. This briefing session is designed to help local government officials, fisheries cooperatives, and fishermen understand the key changes brought about by the amended law.

  The core of this amendment is to increase trust in the field by clearly defining the protection system for foreign seasonal workers (E-8 visas) in the law. The amendment includes protections for foreign workers such as prohibiting discrimination, requiring the signing of standard contracts, requiring enrollment in compulsory insurances, and requiring payment of wages to foreign workers before returning to their home countries. Failure to comply with these obligations is subject to a fine of up to KRW 5 million.

  In particular, the briefing session will provide a guide to the specific criteria and timing for enrollment in the compulsory insurances*. When hiring foreign seasonal workers after the effective date of the law (February 15, 2026), the employer must enroll in the Guarantee Insurance for Unpaid Wages within 30 days from the effective date of the employment contract and the Farmers and Fishermen Safety Insurance within 15 days. Additionally, foreign seasonal workers entering Korea beginning February 15, 2026 must enroll in accident insurance within 15 days of entry.

 * ▴ (Guarantee Insurance for Unpaid Wages) SubscriberEmployer, Insurance premiumKRW 15,000 per person per year
   ▴ (Farmers and Fishermen Safety Insurance) SubscriberEmployer, Insurance premiumKRW 100,000 to 300,000 per person per year OtherSubsidy of 50% by national budget and 24-40% by local budget
   ▴ (Accident insurance) SubscriberForeign workers, Insurance premiumVaries by insurance company
 ※ Insurance premiums may vary depending on the type of insurance and subscription conditions.

  In addition, the basis for administrative support such as the local government’s processing of insurance claims will be established. Cities, counties, and districts can provide administrative support to foreign workers such as acting as agents for accident insurance claims and supporting the reporting of wage arrears for claims under the Guarantee Insurance for Unpaid Wages.

   “I hope that this briefing session will be an opportunity to improve the working conditions of foreign workers by protecting their human rights and ensuring more stable management of personnel in the fishing industry. We will listen closely to the difficulties faced by those in the field at this briefing session and actively reflect them in improving the system,” said Choi Hyeon-ho, Deputy Minister for Fisheries Policy at MOF.
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