Migrant workers receive tests at an outdoor COVID-19 testing station in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, on March 11, 2021, as local authorities ordered all such workers to undergo tests. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — With the number of migrant workers in South Korea declining sharply due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, these laborers are becoming more important figures, particularly at construction sites.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the number of migrant workers on E-9 non-professional employment visa or H-2 work and visit visa totaled 352,000 in September, down about 80,000 from a year ago.
“In the past, the ratio of local and migrant workers was 5:5 but now the ratio is 3:7,” a head of a job placement agency for construction workers said.
On the bulletin board of a job placement agency, a notice is attached that says, “Please show up tomorrow even if it rains.”
In the past, the daily pay was about 240,000 won (US$202) for skilled migrant workers and 120,000-150,000 won for novice migrant workers. However, daily pay has increased by 10 to 20 percent in recent days.
“The pandemic made life harder, but became a chance to make my value recognized. Recently, I can pick sites that are located in Seoul with less labor intensity,” said a 41-year-old Korean Chinese man surnamed Lee, who has worked in construction for about 10 years.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
