The work permit system for foreign workers will be take effect next year July.
The national assembly held a conference and outlined a work permit system for foreign workers and industrial training system to be enforced simultaneously and passed a legislation for foreign workers with 148 approvals, 88 oppositions and 9 blank ballots.

The bill allows foreign workers to make an employment contract within one year and this contract can be renewed within 3 years.

Foreigners who have worked over 3 years in Korea can only be qualified for employment after 1 year from departure.

Before enterprises employ foreigners, they must first request for job offers at the Employment Stablization Center at the Ministry of Labor. And only if there is no employment for over 1 month, foreign workers may be employed for the job.

And also, enterprises must not discriminate foreign workers.

If foreign laborers are excluded from the employment permit system or the enterprise which the worker works for is suspended or shut down, he or she may switch jobs.

(omission…. )

The bill will take effect next year July, and redemption of illegal sojourners will immediately be enforced after promulgation.

Source from The Korea Economic Daily of July 31, reporter Hae-yeong Park