Illegal Foreign Workers Allowed to Stay for 2 Years

The government has decided to allow two-year employment of foreign workers whose illegal stay in the nation is less than three years as of the end of the month, when they have a confirmation document of employment.

Although foreign workers have stayed in the country longer than three years but less than four years, if they voluntarily leave the country with the confirmation document of employment, they can return and get a job again without further processes or expense.

The government decided to take such follow-up measures in order to minimize labor shortages in preparation for next year’s introduction of the management system of foreign workers, at a vice-ministerial meeting of related ministries on March 29.

Even though the administration was scheduled to hold the meeting this week, it advanced the date to discuss the issue of illegal foreign workers.

Instead of the current system for industrial training, the management system of foreign workers will allow companies that failed to hire local workers to legally employ foreign workers with the government’s permission.

“Once the new system is implemented, those who hire illegal foreign workers will be penalized and the workers will be forced to leave the country immediately after they are found by an authority,” a government official said.

In addition, the administration plans not to apply a relief package or benefits to the foreign workers who enter the country from April 1.

Dong-Ki Sung esprit@donga.com