○ Ministry of Employment and Labor, Gyeonggi Province, and local governments jointly inspect workplaces and accommodations for migrant workers
○ Heat-illness prevention guidelines distributed in 18 languages, with inspections covering cooling equipment and rest facilities
Gyeonggi Province will inspect industrial workplaces and accommodations from July 14 to 31 to protect migrant workers during the ongoing heat wave.
The inspections are part of a nationwide joint initiative led by the Ministry of Employment and Labor targeting workplaces that employ foreign workers. The initiative comes amid growing concerns over occupational heat illnesses. Several fatal cases of heatstroke involving foreign workers were reported last year, underscoring the need for stronger workplace safety measures during periods of extreme heat.
A total of 43 agricultural, livestock, and manufacturing workplaces employing migrant workers across the province have been selected for inspection. The joint inspections began in Icheon City on July 14 and will continue in Pocheon City and other areas with large numbers of agricultural and livestock businesses. The remaining sites will be inspected independently by the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s regional offices and the relevant local governments.
On July 14, officials from Gyeonggi Province’s Immigrant Society Bureau, the Seongnam District Employment and Labor Office, and Icheon City Government inspected a workplace employing foreign workers in Icheon. Accompanied by interpreters, provincial officials listened to the workers’ concerns and provided guidance on heat-wave precautions and health-protection measures.
Inspectors focused on compliance with five fundamental heat-safety measures: providing cool drinking water; installing cooling equipment; guaranteeing a break of at least 20 minutes every two hours when the heat index exceeds 33°C; supplying personal cooling gear such as cooling garments and vests; and immediately calling 119 and administering first aid when heat illness is suspected.
They also examined general workplace conditions and rest facilities, as well as the availability of air-conditioning and fire safety equipment in accommodations for foreign workers. Furthermore, inspectors distributed heat-illness prevention guidelines in 18 languages, including English, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
Gyeonggi Province is the only local government in Korea with a bureau-level organization dedicated exclusively to policies concerning foreign residents. The province plans to continue working closely with central and local government agencies to monitor the conditions faced by migrant workers, who are particularly vulnerable to heat waves and other climate-related risks, and to promote safer working environments.